In a new court filing, former Starkey Hearing Technologies president Jerry Ruzicka alleged that Starkey founder Bill Austin committed tax fraud and told employees he communicated with a dead deer and angels, according to an article in the Star Tribune. Starkey, in a press statement, said the allegations were “scurrilous, unfounded or false.”

Starkey founder and CEO Bill Austin.

Starkey founder and CEO Bill Austin.

Jerry Ruzicka

Jerry Ruzicka

Ruzicka, was charged in 2016 in connection with a $20 million embezzlement scheme, according to the article; several other former Starkey executives and suppliers were also charged with what authorities allege was fraudulent transfer of restricted stock and the use of dummy companies, among other things, the article says.

To read the entire article, visit the Star Tribune’s website here.

Source: The Star Tribune