Former Starkey head Ruzicka found guilty on multiple counts

A bitter two-year legal wrangle involving US hearing aid producer, Starkey Laboratories, culminated this week in the finding by a Minnesota jury of eight guilty verdicts against the company’s former president, Jerry Ruzicka, who was acquitted of a further 17 charges.

The convictions include filing a false tax return, stealing his company car, wire fraud, and mail fraud. Ruzicka’s associate, W. Jeff Taylor, former president of Starkey supplier Sonion U.S., was found guilty of three of the 16 charges he faced. Sentencing is due for scheduling in a few months.

The case concludes a messy saga of accusations and counter allegations following a management shake-up at Starkey in September, 2015, and an ensuing criminal investigation by the FBI. Celebrating the conclusion of the trial, Starkey says it can now focus “on our employees and the company’s future, on the customers we serve around the world and on their patients.”