A former assistant to Howard Stern is suing the popular radio personality and his wife for allegedly subjecting them to a hostile work environment while employed at their 20,000-square-foot Hamptons estate, according to filings reviewed by the court. independent.
In a state lawsuit filed Sunday, Leslie Kuhn, who began working for Stern in 2022 as his office manager at SiriusXM, says she was made executive assistant to Shock Jock the following year, and moved to Southampton, New York in 2024 — at the couple’s request — to “provide assistance with things like staff scheduling, staffing adjustments. Manage household operations.
Beth Stern A Longtime animal activist who rescues and fosters abandoned dogs and catsand is a national spokesperson and board member for the North Shore Animal League of America.
Kuhn’s complaint says he was given a raise from $100,000 to $265,000 in December 2025, along with an $80,000 bonus, but was fired in February 2026 for “alleged misconduct.” But while the complaint doesn’t provide details of the alleged wrongdoing, it says Kuhn “rejects in whole and in part the arguments made to her” as “manufactured by the defendants in general and Beth Stern in particular.”
“Rather, Kuhn contends that his termination was the result of, among other things, a hostile work environment and the enabling of that hostile work environment, the enormous pressure on households created by irresponsible and inefficient animal rescue and on-site fostering operations, and widely unorganized and questionable business operations and accounting practices.”
Howard Stern’s former executive assistant says she was surprised by the NDA she allegedly didn’t sign (Getty Images)
However, Kuhn claims that the allegations against him are so damaging to his reputation that they will have a “chilling effect. [her] Prospects for future employment.”
At the same time, Kuhn is also accusing Stern’s production company of forging her signature on two nondisclosure agreements, and is asking a judge to declare them null and void because it prevents her from telling anyone, including potential employers, allowing Howard and Beth to “speak freely about the Kuhns.”
“As such, Kuhn wants to disclose details about the facts surrounding his employment by Stern, Beth Stern, Sirius, et al. [Stern’s production company]”And terminate that employment if necessary to address the allegations against him and to protect his reputation and future employment prospects,” the complaint states.
said attorney John Leonard, who is representing Kuhn independent That he is simply asking the court to weigh in on the validity and enforceability of two NDAs Kuhn says he never signed.
“It’s very easy to see that they’re one-sided; they’re not reciprocal, so it gives one side the right to say what they want and the other side is dumbfounded,” Leonard said.
Howard Stern and wife Beth, who is an ardent animal advocate. The couple is being sued by a former executive assistant who says they created a hostile work environment (Getty Images)
Above and beyond prohibiting Kuhn from discussing the ins and outs of her employment with Stern, the allegedly bogus NDA prohibits her from discussing anything about the couple’s “family members or friends, daily activities and personal habits (eg, food preferences, sleeping habits, hobbies), use of consumer products, choice of restaurants, hotel choices or locations prior to establishing or establishing other materials. And other assets, travel arrangements, location(s) or methods, political affiliations, and “any other matters” related to Stern’s business.
Such a contractual relationship renders Kuhn “a sole at-will employee with less influence and resources than Stern, their affiliates and associates” in unfair damages “personally, professionally and publicly.”
NDAs are being used to silence people like Kuhn, who are “at a distinct disadvantage in influence and resources,” according to Leonard, who pointed out that his client didn’t want things to get to this point.
“The decision to seek declaratory relief from the court was a decision that was not made lightly,” Leonard said independent. “My client, however, is a very strong woman and she just wants the court to tell her what her rights are so she can proceed legally. It’s a very difficult situation not knowing if you’re going to be able to defend yourself against other people’s accusations. But I have to say, she’s handling it very well, she’s very strong, and she looks forward to her day.”
independent Representatives for Stern have been reached for comment.
Kuhn is now seeking a declaration of invalidity of the NDA, as well as attorneys’ fees and court costs.
