Howard Stern's Former Assistant Clarifies Lawsuit Demands Amid Media Reports
Leslie Kuhn, the former assistant fired by radio personality Howard Stern and his wife Beth, has publicly denied viral claims that she is demanding $2.5 million in damages from the couple. In an ongoing lawsuit, Kuhn is instead focused on challenging the validity of non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) that she alleges were used to silence her.
Legal Clarification on Damages and NDAs
Recent reports from outlets like Page Six and TMZ suggested that Kuhn had added a demand for a minimum of $2.5 million in damages. However, her attorney has exclusively clarified to the Daily Mail that she is not seeking any compensatory damages. Instead, Kuhn's primary goal is to have the NDAs declared void and unenforceable, allowing her to discuss her employment and termination openly.
According to a court document filed on Sunday and obtained by the Daily Mail, Kuhn aims to protect her right to speak freely about her time working for the Sterns. The document states that the monetary value of this right is no less than $2.5 million, but her lawyer explained that this figure was assigned solely to meet jurisdictional requirements for the commercial division of the New York County Supreme Court. Specifically, she needed to assign at least $500,000 to the relief sought to proceed with the case.
Importantly, the lawsuit does not request that Stern pay the $2.5 million sum even if Kuhn wins. It is merely a procedural step to establish her legal standing to challenge the NDAs.
Background of the Employment Dispute
Kuhn's original lawsuit, filed against Howard Stern, Beth Stern, and their production companies One Twelve, Inc. and The Howard Stern Production Company, Inc., accuses the defendants of fostering a hostile work environment and using fraudulent NDAs to suppress her voice. She was first employed by SiriusXM on The Howard Stern Show as an office manager in September 2022 and became Stern's executive assistant in January 2024.
The legal filing asserts that at no point was Kuhn's employment conditioned on signing an employment contract or NDA. In May 2024, at the couple's request, she moved to their Southampton, New York estate to work at their $20 million apocalypse bunker. Kuhn claims that Beth Stern significantly expanded her duties, including managing mansion staff, payroll, household operations, and the couple's cat rescue and fostering activities.
Her employment was terminated in February 2026, which she attributes to a hostile work environment, pressures from animal rescue operations, and disorganized business practices. Kuhn denies allegations of misconduct made by One Twelve's Vice President of Finance Mark D. Garten prior to her termination. She also notes that in December 2025, she received a letter promising a raise to $265,000 and an $80,000 bonus for 2026, making her sudden dismissal more contentious.
Allegations of Fraudulent NDAs
Kuhn claims that on or about February 26, 2026, a law firm representing One Twelve presented her with a separation agreement containing an NDA. She alleges this document was fabricated to appear as if she had signed it years earlier when she first started working for Stern. According to Kuhn, the signature on the NDA is merely her typewritten name in the same font style used in the agreement, suggesting it was manufactured by the defendants, particularly Beth Stern.
Through her lawsuit, Kuhn seeks a court declaration that the NDA and confidentiality agreement are unenforceable, enabling her to discuss her employment and termination freely. The Daily Mail has reached out to representatives for the Sterns for comment but has not yet received a response.
Context of Howard Stern's Career and Public Perception
This legal dispute unfolds against a backdrop of speculation about Howard Stern's career. Last year, Stern announced a new three-year deal with SiriusXM, ending rumors of retirement that had circulated for months. The announcement followed a prank in which he led fans to believe his show was being axed, sparking criticism online where some labeled him a has-been.
Stern's contract extensions, including a previous five-year, $500 million agreement in 2020, have solidified his status as one of broadcasting's highest-paid personalities. Despite his success, he has expressed a desire for more free time, noting his lifelong dedication to work. The show, which once reached 60 markets and over 20 million listeners, continues to be a significant part of his legacy, though public opinion remains divided.
As the lawsuit progresses, it highlights broader issues of employment rights, the enforceability of NDAs, and the challenges faced by staff in high-profile environments. Kuhn's case could set a precedent for how similar disputes are handled in the entertainment industry.
