Podcast Summary: Case 306: Ina & David Steiner — Casefile True Crime
Introduction
In Case 306: Ina & David Steiner, Casefile True Crime delves into a harrowing true story of harassment and intimidation orchestrated by a major corporation against two dedicated journalists. This episode meticulously chronicles the Steiners' journey from respected e-commerce publication founders to victims of an orchestrated campaign aimed at silencing their critical reporting on eBay.
Background of Ina and David Steiner
Ina and David Steiner, a married couple based in Natick, Massachusetts, launched Auction Byte in 1999, an e-newsletter dedicated to individuals engaged in selling items online. Their shared passion for collecting and trading led them to create a platform that provided valuable insights and industry news to online sellers. Ina primarily handled the editorial content, writing daily articles such as “Behind Amazon Prime? Shipping Delays” and “Craigslist Finally Launches a Mobile App Worth the Wait”, while David managed the publication aspects.
By 2019, Auction Byte had evolved into E Commerce Bytes, a trusted resource among sellers on platforms like Craigslist, Etsy, Amazon, and eBay. The Steiners fostered a small but engaged community through their newsletter and active social media presence, maintaining a reputation for balanced and factual reporting.
Conflict with eBay
The Steiners’ critical analysis of eBay’s business practices, particularly under CEO Devin Wenig, began to strain their relationship with the corporation. Ina Steiner often highlighted both the strengths and shortcomings of eBay in her articles, earning both praise and ire from the e-commerce community. However, tensions escalated when Ina reported on eBay’s lawsuit against Amazon in August 2019, asserting that despite Wenig’s efforts to curb seller migration to Amazon, these tactics might not be effective.
Notable Quote:
“I was just speaking off the cuff. Devin Wenig made similar remarks in his own statement.”
— Steve Wimer, Senior VP of Communications at eBay [Timestamp: 95:30]
Onset of Harassment
Following Ina’s article on August 1, 2019, tensions reached a boiling point. A suspicious Twitter account named Tui Allay began sending Ina a barrage of abusive messages:
“You don't have the balls to talk to me. Stop hiding behind your computer screen, you fucking cunt.”
— Tui Allay [Timestamp: 05:45]
Ignoring these initial messages, Ina hoped the harassment would cease. However, the situation quickly deteriorated as the account persistently bombarded her with increasingly hostile and threatening messages.
Escalation of Harassment Tactics
The harassment expanded beyond digital abuse. The Steiners began receiving disturbing physical packages and faced continued online threats:
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August 7, 2019: Over 50 unsolicited email and newsletter subscriptions flood Ina’s inbox, containing unsettling content related to bondage and animal abuse.
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August 8, 2019: David received a package containing a bloody pig mask reminiscent of a horror movie villain, followed by another package addressed to him containing disturbing materials.
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August 13, 2019: The Steiners’ home address was publicized through a malicious Craigslist ad promoting a garage sale, inviting strangers to visit under false pretenses.
Notable Quote:
“Our episodes deal with serious and often distressing incidents. If you feel at any time you need support, please contact your local crisis centre.”
— Casefile Presenters [Timestamp: 10:15]
Police Investigation and Discovery
As the harassment intensified, the Steiners took measures to protect themselves, including installing security cameras and segregating their living spaces. Police involvement became necessary when the harassment escalated to attempted home invasions and persistent stalking behaviors.
Through diligent investigation, authorities traced the harassment back to Veronica Zay, an intelligence analyst at eBay’s Global Security and Resiliency division. Further probing revealed that eBay executives, particularly James Bore, senior director of safety and security, orchestrated the campaign against the Steiners.
Roles of eBay Executives and the Security Team
Behind the scenes, eBay’s higher-ups, Devin Wenig and Steve Wimer, conspired to dismantle the Steiners’ publication. Utilizing the company’s security personnel, they created multiple fake online identities to harass the couple and intimidate them into silence. The strategy, dubbed the White Knight Strategy, involved relentless intimidation through both digital and physical means, including:
- Fake Twitter accounts like Tui Allay and Fidomaster to send threatening messages.
- Sending unsettling packages such as live spiders and disconcerting books.
- Utilizing rented vehicles to surveil and intimidate the Steiners.
Notable Quote:
“Whatever it takes. James Bore and his team of six... launched a series of ploys. They had brainstormed together, their aim was to intimidate, threaten, torture, terrorize and ultimately silence the Steiners.”
— Casefile Presents [Timestamp: 45:20]
Criminal Proceedings and Outcomes
The persistent harassment eventually drew the attention of federal prosecutors. Seven eBay employees, including James Bore and Veronica Zay, were indicted on charges of conspiracy, cyberstalking, and witness tampering. The legal repercussions were severe:
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James Bore, as the ringleader, received the harshest sentence after pleading guilty, expressing remorse during his hearing:
“I was 100% responsible for everything that happened on my watch. For that, I am truly sorry.”
— James Bore [Timestamp: 78:50] -
The other conspirators faced varying sentences, including probation, community service, fines, and imprisonment, ranging up to 57 months.
In response, eBay’s Devin Wenig resigned with a $57 million severance package, while Steve Wimer was terminated without disclosed terms. Despite their dismissals, internal investigations cleared both men of direct involvement, leading to unresolved suspicions from the Steiners.
Aftermath for the Steiners
The relentless harassment left Ina and David Steiner with lasting psychological trauma and significant financial losses. Despite their ordeal, the Steiners persevered, continuing to publish E Commerce Bytes with unwavering commitment to factual reporting.
In 2021, the Steiners filed a lawsuit against eBay and the individuals involved in their harassment. Although evidence suggested possible obstruction and destruction of evidence by eBay executives, the civil proceedings remained ongoing as of June 2024. Ina maintained her journalistic integrity, focusing on unbiased reporting without personal bias or opinions.
Notable Quote:
“I regret playing even a small role here. If I could go back in time and prevent the Steiners from experiencing this in any way, I would do so in a heartbeat.”
— Veronica Zay [Timestamp: 112:30]
Conclusion and Reflections
Case 306: Ina & David Steiner serves as a poignant reminder of the lengths to which powerful entities may go to silence dissenting voices. The episode underscores the importance of journalistic freedom and the vulnerable position of independent publishers when targeted by corporate retaliation. Despite the severe personal and professional impacts, the Steiners’ resilience illustrates the enduring pursuit of truth and accountability.
Notable Quotes Overview
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Steve Wimer on Devin Wenig’s Resignation:
“I was just speaking off the cuff. Devin Wenig made similar remarks in his own statement.”
[05:30] -
James Bore’s Admission:
“I was 100% responsible for everything that happened on my watch. For that, I am truly sorry.”
[78:50] -
Veronica Zay’s Regret:
“If I could go back in time and prevent the Steiners from experiencing this in any way, I would do so in a heartbeat.”
[112:30] -
Casefile Presenters on Harrowing Incidents:
“Our episodes deal with serious and often distressing incidents. If you feel at any time you need support, please contact your local crisis centre.”
[10:15]
Final Thoughts
Case 306: Ina & David Steiner is a compelling exploration of corporate malfeasance and its profound impact on individuals standing up for truth. The episode not only recounts the traumatic events faced by the Steiners but also highlights the systemic issues within large corporations that can lead to such extreme actions against critics. This case emphasizes the need for stringent oversight and protection for independent journalists and whistleblowers.