Howard Stern’s horrible boss claims from ‘humiliated’ staffers resurface amid new lawsuit from fired ex-employee

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Howard Stern and his wife, Beth, are facing a new lawsuit alleging they created a hostile workplace. This has led to renewed scrutiny of past controversies surrounding Stern’s media career.

Leslie Kuhn, who used to live and work as an executive assistant for the 72-year-old celebrity and his 52-year-old wife Beth, is suing the couple. Court documents obtained by the Daily Mail allege that she experienced a hostile work environment during her time with them.

According to court documents, Beth Stern’s animal rescue organization was poorly managed and created significant strain on her family, according to Kuhn.

The situation fell apart earlier this year when Kuhn claimed in court documents that her firing was deliberately planned, and that she was pressured into signing confidentiality agreements that she believes are invalid and legally unsound.

Kuhn testified that the contract clauses were designed to hide the couple’s chaotic and potentially dishonest business dealings.

The Daily Mail has reached out to representatives for Stern for further comment on the story. 

Gregg ‘Opie’ Hughes, a frequent competitor of Howard Stern on the radio, commented on the lawsuit in a statement to Daily Mail (during his Opie Radio podcast on Tuesday). He joked that Stern’s oceanfront mansion in Southampton seems to be overrun with cats, saying, ‘Can you imagine?’

No matter how large the location, you have to picture cats everywhere… and Howard Stern, that famously blunt and edgy radio personality? He’s seriously struggling right now!

He mentioned that Kuhn had important information about what happened at the Stern house, but was prevented from sharing it publicly due to a non-disclosure agreement. Despite this, she apparently wants people to understand what she witnessed.

The Daily Mail is revisiting past accusations against Stern, where former employees have consistently reported feeling humiliated, pressured, or unfairly compensated during their time working for him.

Fans of Howard Stern’s radio show remember that even during serious events like natural disasters or terrorist attacks, his staff often found themselves in funny and uncomfortable on-air situations that listeners later considered classic radio moments.

A great example of this happened on October 29, 2012, during his radio show, just before Hurricane Sandy caused massive damage to the East Coast.

As the storm approached, Stern, who lived in Manhattan then, questioned his employees about their commitment. He asked them why they wouldn’t leave their homes in the New York area and stay at a hotel SiriusXM was offering in the city.

The situation sparked a tense disagreement between Howard Stern and his producer, Gary Dell’Abate. Dell’Abate explained he was returning home to Connecticut with his family to ensure their safety due to the severe weather.

Stern questioned his producer, wondering why they’d want to return home with a show scheduled for the next day. Robin Quivers and Shuli Egar playfully encouraged him to keep pressing the issue.

After Stern expressed his disappointment and said he didn’t trust Dell’Abate, implying he was leaving, Dell’Abate angrily responded, ‘Are you serious?’

Dell’Abate expressed disbelief, asking if the implication was that he should simply deal with the aftermath if a tree fell on his house. He was upset by what he perceived as a lack of concern for people’s families and homes.

After Stern kept pressing him, Dell’Abate responded that it seemed like Stern was suggesting he didn’t take his job seriously. He clarified that while his family is his top priority, he’s still very dedicated to his work – it’s a very close second.

In a follow-up HowardTV special about the show’s response to the storm, Stern jokingly dismissed criticism that he’d been too hard on his staff during the difficult weather.

Stern recently received a lot of negative feedback, including angry letters and criticism from fans. They accused him of not valuing or treating his team well, and suggested they may have even avoided working with him as a result.

Howard Stern continued broadcasting throughout the September 11th attacks on his hometown of New York City, and many consider that broadcast to be the best work of his career, a testament to his dedication.

Although the show’s host, Stern, told people who were uneasy to exit the New York City building where it was filmed, KC Armstrong, a former staff member, was harshly mocked for taking him up on the offer.

When Armstrong came back to the studio later that week, Stern and the team scolded him for leaving while they continued to work.

‘We stayed here and did our jobs, what did you do – you left your job!’ Stern said.

Stern criticized Armstrong for jokingly suggesting he’d prefer a different office during the attacks, and sarcastically suggested he wear a dress to work, implying his behavior showed cowardice by abandoning his post.

More recently, Stern seems to have reconsidered his position. Starting in 2020, he’s mostly broadcast from home, citing concerns about Covid as the reason.

Former staff members of the Stern show frequently mention financial issues as a source of discomfort. Many have publicly complained about receiving low paychecks, especially considering the show was earning millions at the time.

Former head writer Jackie Martling, 78, described the situation as frightening in a 2023 interview with Vice TV’s Dark Side of the 2000s Shock Jocks, explaining that a huge amount of money was flowing in – it was, she said, ‘crazy’.

Beginning in 1983, Martling wrote jokes for Howard Stern’s radio show, contributing to its incredible popularity. He continued in this role until a disagreement over pay led to his departure in February 2001.

According to Martling, most of the staff on the highly successful radio show were underpaid, despite Howard Stern earning a very large income.

The comedian admitted he still didn’t understand why Stern fired him from the show 25 years ago, after he asked for a higher salary.

You’ve achieved incredible success and wealth, and then you let go of the person who made your work even more enjoyable – all because they asked for a raise? It’s hard to believe you’d do that.

‘Stuttering’ John Melendez was a staple of the show from 1988 until leaving in 2004.

Melendez was surprised by Howard Stern’s angry reaction when he accepted an announcing position on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno. This new job significantly increased his salary, jumping from approximately $75,000 a year with Stern to around $400,000.

Melendez prevented me from growing and finding happiness,” she stated. The Daily Mail has contacted both Melendez and Martling for additional information.

The Howard Stern Show runs from Mondays through Wednesdays on SiriusXM. 

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2026-04-09 02:49