The former senior manager for special operations for eBay Inc. The global security team was sentenced in federal court in Boston on Thursday for its role in a cyberstalking campaign that included sending a preserved pig fetus, a bloody pig Halloween mask and a book about surviving the lack of a spouse to some’s home in Massachusetts.
Brian Gilbert, 56, of San Jose, California, was sentenced by U.S. Chief District Judge William Young to time served, one 12 months of probation on the condition that he haven’t any contact with the victims, and a $20,000 high-quality.
In October 2020, Gilbert pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit cyberstalking and witness tampering.
Gilbert and others targeted David and Ina Steiner, investigators said. The couple had published an internet newsletter called EcommerceBytes that angered eBay executives with its reporting.
“An indescribable campaign of harassment”
Gilbert is one in all seven former eBay employees and contractors on the corporate’s security team who were charged and ultimately convicted for his or her role within the cyberstalking campaign.
“With today’s sentencing, we conclude our prosecution of eBay’s horrific conduct. The company’s culture led seven eBay employees and contractors to launch an unspeakable campaign of harassment and intimidation against the victims in this case in an effort to silence them and protect the eBay brand,” Acting U.S. Attorney Joshua Levy said in an announcement.
In August 2019, the defendants carried out a three-part harassment campaign against the Natick, Massachusetts, couple, including ordering anonymous and disturbing deliveries to the victims’ home, investigators said. Their home address was also posted online, together with announcements inviting strangers to garage sales and parties.
According to prosecutors, a few of the defendants also sent private Twitter messages and public tweets criticizing the content of the newsletter and threatening to go to the victims in Natick.
In the third phase of the campaign, victims were monitored of their homes and of their community. Victims noticed the surveillance and notified Natick police, who began an investigation.
In January, eBay Inc. agreed to pay a $3 million high-quality to settle charges related to the harassment campaign by its employees, who also sent live spiders, cockroaches and other disturbing items to the couple’s home, prosecutors said.
