Leslie Kuhn, a former assistant on “The Howard Stern Show,” has filed a lawsuit against Howard Stern and his wife, Beth Ostrosky Stern. The case centers around allegations of a “hostile work environment” during her employment, which included roles as office manager and live-in assistant.
Details of the Lawsuit
Kuhn lodged her complaint in the New York County Supreme Court on April 5, 2023. The lawsuit includes additional defendants such as The Howard Stern Production Company and One Twelve Inc., Stern’s production firm.
Among the claims, Kuhn asserts that two nondisclosure agreements, which are said to prevent her from sharing personal information about Howard Stern, were signed under fraudulent conditions. She aims to reveal significant details regarding her experience working for the Sterns to counter the allegations against her and protect her professional reputation.
Timeline of Employment
- September 2022: Kuhn begins her role as office manager on “The Howard Stern Show.”
- 2023: She becomes an executive assistant, relocating to the Sterns’ mansion in Southampton, New York.
- February 2023: Kuhn claims she was terminated by One Twelve Inc.’s Vice President of Finance, Mark D. Garten, amid allegations of misconduct.
Claims of a Hostile Work Environment
Kuhn’s lawsuit alleges her termination was influenced by a hostile work environment attributed to pressures related to animal rescue operations at the mansion and chaotic business practices. Despite receiving a notice of a raise for 2026 months prior to her firing, she contends that the working conditions were untenable.
Confidentiality Agreements and Disputes
After her termination, Kuhn was presented with a separation agreement believed to contain non-mutual confidentiality and nondisclosure clauses. These terms would have restricted her from discussing personal and household matters concerning the Sterns and their associates. Kuhn’s attorney criticizes these agreements, arguing that they were unfair and unenforceable.
Kuhn has firmly refused to accept the separation agreement, maintaining that the existing nondisclosure agreements she signed were invalid from inception. She seeks a court ruling to determine the legal standing of these confidentiality clauses.
The developments in this lawsuit underscore the ongoing challenges in high-pressure celebrity workplaces and the implications for former employees navigating post-employment limitations on speech.
