Former Assistant Takes Sterns to Court Over Workplace Claims

A former employee of Howard and Beth Stern has filed a new lawsuit against the radio duo, demanding at least $2. 5 million in damages and an order to void a non‑disclosure agreement she says was never signed. The plaintiff, Leslie Kuhn, first joined the team as an office manager in September 2022 and was promoted to executive assistant in January 2024. She alleges that shortly after her promotion she was instructed to relocate to the Sterns’ Southampton, New York, home and take on duties that extended beyond her job description. According to the complaint, Beth Stern required Kuhn to manage staff schedules, payroll and general household tasks while also overseeing a large cat rescue program. Beth is known for her animal‑rights work and has helped launch a no‑kill shelter that recently opened at North Shore Animal League America.Kuhn claims she was dismissed for “cause” on February 26, 2024, but argues that the termination stemmed from a hostile environment and chaotic business practices. She says the household’s animal rescue operations created unreasonable pressure, leading to disorganized accounting and management. The lawsuit also challenges a separation agreement that the Sterns’ legal team presented to Kuhn. She maintains she never signed a non‑disclosure clause, citing that the only “signature” on the document was her typed name in the same font as the parties’ names. Kuhn seeks a ruling that the confidentiality agreement is void from the start and requests the Sterns cover her legal fees. The case was amended on April 15, 2026, with Kuhn’s attorneys asking the court to appoint a judge and hold an initial conference. The amended filing keeps the $2. 5 million figure as a minimum claim. Meanwhile, Howard Stern’s contract with SiriusXM was renewed in December 2025 for three years through 2028, reportedly worth $100 million annually, though the exact terms remain undisclosed. The Sterns have not yet responded to requests for comment.