Lawsuit Seeks Millions in Damages From Starkey

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — A new lawsuit alleges top officials at Starkey Laboratories were fired weeks ago in retaliation after the stepson of the company's chief executive wasn't promoted.

The lawsuit filed Friday alleges breach of trust, defamation of character and spying. It also alleges that chief executive Bill Austin created a hostile work environment.

The lawsuit seeks damages in excess of $10.9 million.

Austin, his stepson and Starkey's attorney did not return calls Friday to the Star Tribune.

Starkey Hearing Foundation and Starkey Hearing Technologies were closed Saturday. A message could not be left for Austin through the company's phone directory and a working home number was unavailable. Voicemails and emails left for media contacts and in general inboxes were not immediately returned to The Associated Press.