Howard Stern is fighting to dismiss a $2.5 million lawsuit filed by his former executive assistant, who accused him and his wife, Beth Stern, of fostering a hostile work environment.
The shock jock has labeled the case a “shakedown” and insists the dispute centers on valid confidentiality agreements he claims she knowingly acknowledged.
The lawsuit, which also details alleged workplace pressure and a sudden termination despite promises of a raise and bonus, has reignited scrutiny surrounding Howard Stern’s workplace practices.
Stern has asked a court to throw out a $2.5 million lawsuit filed by his former executive assistant and his wife, Beth, calling the case a “shakedown” and a “transparent sham.”
In legal documents obtained by Page Six, the 72-year-old radio host pushed back strongly, saying he has no intention of turning the matter into a public spectacle.
His attorney, Ilene Farkas, said the couple is simply trying to uphold “non-disclosure agreements signed by employees who enter their home and their private life.”
The dispute centers on non-disclosure and confidentiality agreements, which the former assistant, who began working for Howard in 2022 as an office manager before later becoming his executive assistant, claims she never properly signed.
She is asking the court to invalidate those agreements so she can respond publicly to “accusations made against her, and protect her reputation and future employment prospects.”
Howard’s legal team, however, insists that records, including emails they say confirm her acknowledgment of the agreements, prove otherwise. They also argue she was shown this evidence before filing her suit.
The Shock Jock Claims Former Assistant Filed Lawsuit To Secure ‘Outlandish’ Settlement
According to Howard’s filing, the lawsuit is an attempt to pressure him and his wife into an “outlandish” settlement following her termination earlier this year.
The documents maintain that the “sole reason Kuhn’s termination has become a matter of public record is that Kuhn and her counsel chose to publicize it,” and deny any claims of a smear campaign or reputational harm.
“There was no smear campaign, no actual or threatened disclosure, and no reputational attack. None,” the filing states, adding that Howard had no plans to comment publicly on her departure and intended to provide only neutral job references.
The Disgruntled Former Employee’s Lawyer Has Slammed The Dismissal Request
Kuhn’s attorney, John J. Leonard, has since rejected the dismissal attempt, telling Page Six they “vigorously oppose” the new filing.
Leonard noted that they do not see it as a “threat to Ms. Kuhn’s claims, factually or legally,” and suggested that the introduction of additional NDA claims may actually widen the legal battle rather than resolve it.
The attorney said, “We anticipate that the surprise unveiling of yet another alleged NDA at the eleventh hour will only expand litigation, not curtail it as intended.”
Howard Stern Lawsuit Renews Scrutiny Over Workplace Claims And Former Staff Complaints
In her original complaint, Kuhn accused Howard and Beth of fostering a hostile work environment, claiming she faced “immense pressure” while overseeing the couple’s Hamptons property and assisting Beth with what she described as a large-scale cat rescue and fostering operation run from the home.
Court documents also state that Kuhn allegedly received a letter from Howard’s production company in December 2025 informing her that her salary would increase to $265,000 and that she would receive an additional $80,000 bonus in 2026. Despite that, she claims she was terminated just two months later, in February.
The lawsuit has also brought renewed attention to Howard Stern’s workplace reputation following remarks made by former staffers in Vice TV’s 2023 docuseries “Dark Side of the 2000s Shock Jocks.”
In the documentary, several former members of “The Howard Stern Show” described what they viewed as difficult working conditions behind the scenes during the show’s most successful years.
Howard Stern’s Former Worker Claims He Underpaid Staff Despite Making ‘Countless Millions’
Jackie “The Joke Man” Martling, who worked as a writer and on-air personality from 1983 to 2001, claimed many staffers were underpaid despite Howard earning “countless millions of dollars.”
“It was frightening what was going on,” Martling said in the documentary before adding, “There was so much money coming in. It was crazy the amount of money.”
Martling suggested that salary disputes ultimately led to his departure from the show, criticizing Howard for refusing to increase his pay despite their long working relationship and friendship.
“You are beyond rich and successful, and you have someone sitting next to you who makes you enjoy that job much more. And you let them go?” Martling said. “Because he asked for more money? Especially when you’re friends. It boggles the mind.”