Former Assistant Sues Howard Stern and Wife for Hostile Work Environment in New York Court

Leslie Kuhn filed a lawsuit against Howard Stern, Beth Ostrosky Stern, The Howard Stern Production Company, and One Twelve Inc. on April 5 in New York County Supreme Court. The complaint alleges a hostile work environment during her employment.

Court documents were obtained by USA Today on April 6. Kuhn began working for Howard Stern in September 2022 as an office manager for "The Howard Stern Show" on SiriusXM. , which required her to move into the Sterns' residence in Southampton, New York.

At the residence, known as "Oceanview," Kuhn also assisted Beth Stern with managing household staff, scheduling, payroll, and operations related to feline rescue and fostering.

received notice of a raise for 2026 in December.

Around February, One Twelve Inc. terminated her employment, citing alleged misconduct, according to the lawsuit. The complaint states that the termination resulted from a hostile work environment, pressures from on-site animal rescue operations, and disorganized business practices.

After her termination, Kuhn received a separation agreement from Pryor Cashman LLP, the law firm representing One Twelve Inc. The agreement included confidentiality and nondisclosure requirements covering personal, household, charitable, and business information related to the Sterns, their associates, SiriusXM, and the production companies.

Kuhn's attorney described the terms as one-sided and non-mutual.

The lawsuit also references a 2022 confidentiality agreement that Kuhn allegedly signed before her employment began, which prohibited disclosure of Stern's personal information. Kuhn alleges that both the 2022 agreement and the separation agreement were fraudulently signed.

She intends to disclose employment details to address accusations against her and protect her reputation and future employment prospects.

" — Leslie Kuhn's lawsuit (USA Today) USA Today reached out to representatives for Howard Stern for comment, but no response was reported in the available documents. The case is ongoing in New York County Supreme Court, where further proceedings will determine the validity of the claims and agreements.

The lawsuit highlights issues of workplace conditions in private residences and the enforceability of nondisclosure agreements in employment disputes.