Howard Stern and wife Beth sued by fired former employee who accuses couple of creating ‘hostile work environment’

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As a lifestyle expert, I’m following a developing story that’s quite concerning. Howard and Beth Stern are currently facing a lawsuit from a former employee who alleges a really difficult work environment. Apparently, she claims they used a non-disclosure agreement – one she feels was unfair – to prevent her from speaking out about what she experienced. It’s a reminder that creating a respectful and safe workplace is absolutely crucial, no matter who you are.

According to a lawsuit reported by The Daily Mail, Leslie Kuhn, Howard Stern’s former assistant, is taking the shock jock, his wife, and his production companies to court. Kuhn claims she was given non-disclosure agreements that were fake and couldn’t be legally enforced.

According to court records, Kuhn started working at SiriusXM on The Howard Stern Show in September 2022 as an office manager. She was later promoted to Howard Stern’s executive assistant in January 2024.

According to the document, Stern never required Kuhn to sign any employment contract or confidentiality agreement as a condition of her job as Executive Assistant.

In May 2024, Kuhn relocated to Southampton, New York, at the request of Stern and his wife, to work at their $20 million underground bunker, built as a preparation for a potential disaster.

From what I understand, Beth’s role really grew after that. She went from assisting with tasks to actually running things at the mansion – everything from managing the staff and payroll to overseeing all the daily operations. That even included the incredible work the star does with her cat rescue and fostering program, which Beth took charge of. It was a huge responsibility!

According to the document, Kuhn was fired in February 2026. She alleges this was because of a difficult and unwelcoming workplace, combined with the stress caused by an out-of-control animal rescue operation run from her property, and serious problems with how the business was managed and its finances handled.

Kuhn says she was falsely accused of wrongdoing by Mark D. Garten, One Twelve’s Vice President of Finance, before she was fired.

She says she was fired shortly after receiving a letter from Stern’s company in December 2025 promising her a salary increase to $265,000 and an $80,000 bonus the following year, in 2026.

From what I understand, back around February 26th, 2026, the lawyers for One Twelve handed Kuhn a separation agreement. It looks like that agreement also included a non-disclosure agreement – an NDA – meaning she wasn’t able to discuss the terms publicly.

She says someone altered the document to appear as though she signed it when she initially joined Stern, but she insists she never signed it.

Kuhn also states the non-disclosure agreement was signed before her job interview and argues that her signature is simply her typed name, appearing in the same font and size as the names listed at the beginning of the agreement.

She claims the NDA was ‘manufactured by the Defendants in general and Beth Stern in particular.’

Kuhn is requesting the court invalidate her non-disclosure and confidentiality agreements, allowing her to openly discuss her job and why she was fired.

The Daily Mail has contacted representatives for the Sterns for comment and has yet to hear back.

After weeks of rumors that his show might be canceled, Stern revealed last year that he had renewed his contract with SiriusXM for another three years.

He quickly confirmed he wasn’t retiring, putting an end to months of speculation. The rumors started when he jokingly led fans to believe his show was going to be cancelled.

Stern shared with his listeners that he’s found a way to balance having more free time with continuing his radio show.

‘Yes, we are coming back for three years,’ he revealed. 

The news sparked a wave of criticism online, with many social media users calling Stern outdated and suggesting he should have retired long ago.

This is the third time Howard Stern has renewed his contract with SiriusXM, after previous extensions in 2010 and 2020. Forbes reported the 2020 deal was worth $500 million over five years.

Okay, let’s be real – I’m definitely at an age where I should be relaxing! Honestly, I wasn’t even sure where to start with this project. It’s been so lovely, though – some of the team even playfully suggested they could come in and try to figure out what I was up to. I’m truly touched that everyone here is hoping I’ll stick around; it means a lot to me.

Even though he loves radio, the broadcaster also admitted he appreciates having some time to himself.

You know, I’ve realized something crucial lately: I really need to prioritize myself. Honestly, I’ve spent my entire life focused on work, and I haven’t truly had a personal life – a chance to recharge and just be. It’s time to change that and finally make ‘me time’ a priority.

He said he’d hoped to finally have some free time at this stage in his life. While it would be a difficult change, he also felt it would be an exciting opportunity.

He briefly outlined his plans for the next three years, mentioning he’d have summers free and wouldn’t be visiting the SiriusXM studios in New York very often.

‘I was really torn up,’ Stern told fans. ‘I still do love being on the radio. I think the show is better than ever.’ 

In 2006, the host started working at Sirius Satellite Radio, quickly becoming one of the most highly compensated figures in radio. Their arrival significantly impacted both the company and the broader broadcasting world.

At its height, The Howard Stern Show reached 60 markets and drew over 20 million listeners.

Talk about Howard Stern’s potential departure from SiriusXM started in August 2025 and picked up again when he delayed his return to the show after his summer vacation.

According to a source who spoke with the Daily Mail, the hold-up was caused by Howard Stern’s dissatisfaction with the terms of his new deal with the company.

In August, another source mentioned that Howard Stern might be open to a one- or two-year contract if the financial terms were right. The source also indicated Stern didn’t want to leave his staff in a difficult position.

If the star doesn’t renew his deal with SiriusXM, another source suggests he’ll probably offer his show recordings for broadcast on Howard 100 and Howard 101, which are uncensored channels.

He followed that up with a prank segment featuring Andy Cohen, who was hosting the show at the time.

Cohen admitted things weren’t going as planned with the announcement from Howard. He explained that the transition was supposed to be smoother, and he was having to improvise as he went along.

He announced the show would now be known as Andy 100 and expressed that he feels unable to replace the person he’s lost.

However, just twenty minutes later, Stern announced on air that it had all been a joke. He explained that he was delaying his return because he was sick, not because of any issues with his contract.

He shared that he became very frustrated with the constant messages from people checking on him after he was let go. He said he was annoyed by everyone asking if he was alright.

Let me tell you, all those rumors going around about me being let go? Completely false. Honestly, what really bothers me isn’t the rumor itself, but the fact that it’s now complicated my plans. I was actually considering retiring, and now, because of all this, that feels impossible. It’s frustrating when things you’ve been planning get derailed by something that isn’t even true!

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2026-04-07 00:05