Former Starkey executives charged with embezzling $20 million

Federal prosecutors say three former Starkey Hearing Technologies executives and two of their business associates conspired to steal more than $20 million from the Eden Prairie-based hearing aid maker over a 10-year period.

An indictment filed Wednesday charges ousted Starkey President Jerry Ruzicka, former chief financial officer Scott Nelson, and former head of human resources Larry Miller with embezzlement and mail fraud.

It alleges that they — in concert with business associates Jeffrey Taylor and Lawrence Hagen, who also were charged — moved millions of dollars illegally through shell corporations and fraudulent payments.

Federal prosecutors say three former Starkey Hearing Technologies executives and two of their business associates conspired to steal more than $20 million from the Eden Prairie-based hearing aid maker over a 10-year period.

An indictment filed Wednesday charges ousted Starkey President Jerry Ruzicka, former chief financial officer Scott Nelson, and former head of human resources Larry Miller with embezzlement and mail fraud.

It alleges that they — in concert with business associates Jeffrey Taylor and Lawrence Hagen, who also were charged — moved millions of dollars illegally through shell corporations and fraudulent payments.