Howard Stern’s former executive assistant claims in a new lawsuit that the SiriusXM host and his wife, Beth, used “questionable business operations and accounting practices” while she worked for them. The former assistant also claims the Sterns fired her due to a “hostile work environment.”
The ex-assistant, Leslie Kuhn, says she began working for the couple in May 2024. Among her duties were managing the staff at the Sterns’ mansion as well as household operations that included Beth’s “extensive at-home feline rescue and fostering operations.”
In legal documents obtained by Page Six, Kuhn claims she was fired by the Sterns because of “immense pressures on the household created by irresponsible and untenable animal rescue and fostering operations occurring on-site, and massively disorganized and questionable business operations and accounting practices.”
Kuhn also claims that they gave her a nondisclosure agreement (NDA), but she never signed it. She claims it only contains “typewritten name in the same font style and size used to identify the parties’ names in the recitals of the agreement.”
The NDA allegedly contained clauses prohibiting her from discussing the Sterns’ business and personal affairs. That includes the couple’s “daily activities and personal habits,” including “food preferences, sleeping habits, [and] hobbies.”
Page Six reports that the NDA also barred Kuhn from discussing the couple’s use of consumer products, choice of restaurants, hotels or other establishments, entertainment preferences, political affiliations, “location or contents of residences and other properties,” and “travel arrangements.”
The ex-assistant wants the court to throw out an NDA and confidentiality agreement
Leslie Kuhn added that she is seeking a court declaration that the “one-sided and non-mutual” NDA is unenforceable. She claims it prevents her from discussing her job and the reasons behind her firing. Kuhn is also asking the court to void or render unenforceable a confidentiality agreement she claims the Sterns forced on her at the time of her “manufactured” termination.
“Such a contractual relationship would place Kuhn — a mere at-will employee with considerably less influence and resources than the Sterns, their affiliated entities and associates — at a distinct and unfair advantage personally, professionally and publicly,” the complain alleges.
Kuhn seeks declaratory relief, including freedom from the confidentiality agreement and NDA, so she can speak freely on her own behalf regarding future employment prospects.
“Kuhn fully intends to disclose details concerning the facts surrounding her employment,” Kuhn’s attorney, John J. Leonard, wrote in the complaint.