Howard Stern and his wife Beth Stern are being sued by a former assistant for allegedly creating a hostile work environment.
Leslie Kuhn, the couple’s former executive assistant, said in documents obtained by Page Six that she began working at the couple’s request in May 2024 at their 20,000-square-foot Southampton New York mansion.
Kuhn said Beth needed help with household operations, including managing the residence’s staff and Beth’s “extensive in-home cat rescue and fostering operation.”
Kuhn claims he was fired in February even though he received a letter from Howard’s production company in December 2025 stating that he would receive a $265,000 raise and $80,000 in bonuses in 2026.
The documents say Kuhn was fired due to a “hostile work environment” and “incalculable pressure on families created by the irresponsible and unsustainable animal rescue and adoption operations taking place on-site, as well as highly disorganized and questionable business operations and accounting practices.”
She also claims that Howard’s production company presented her with a non-disclosure agreement, which she denies ever signing. Kuhn claims that both the reason for her termination and the non-disclosure agreement were “created by defendants in general and Beth Stern in particular.”
Kuhn said the non-disclosure agreement, which she is asking the court to make unenforceable, not only silences her from talking about her employment and how she was fired, but also allows Howard and Beth to talk freely about her.
“Such a contractual relationship would place Mr. Kuhn (a mere at-will employee with significantly less influence and resources than the Sterns and their affiliates and associates) at a clear personal, professional, and public disadvantage,” the document states.
Page Six reached out to Howard and Beth’s representatives, but did not immediately receive a response.
Beth is a long-time animal activist. Back in May 2016, she told Page Six that she fosters 17 cats at home.
“Right now, I have 17 cats at home that I rescue and raise,” she said. “(Howard) is always the one who says, ‘Come on, bring me.’ It’s kitten season, so we’re going to give it our all.”
“I think it’s hard for the cats,” she added. “My husband and I are trying to make cats cool, and it’s working.”
Beth is the national spokesperson for North Shore Animal Federation of America, the world’s largest no-kill rescue organization. Since 2013, she has rescued, fostered and rehomed more than 2,000 cats and kittens, the organization said.
