Howard Stern Moves to Dismiss Ex-Assistant’s $2.5M Lawsuit, Calls Claims a ‘Shakedown’

SiriusXM host says former employee is seeking a “hush-money payment” as legal battle escalates

Howard Stern is pushing back hard against a lawsuit filed by his former executive assistant, moving to dismiss the case and calling it a “transparent sham” and “shakedown,” according to court filings first reported by The Hollywood Reporter and Page Six.

The radio host and his wife, Beth Stern, are named in the suit, which seeks $2.5 million in damages and challenges the validity of nondisclosure agreements tied to Stern’s production company, One Twelve.

Stern: Lawsuit Is a Bid for a ‘Hush-Money Payment’

In filings submitted April 29, 2026, Stern alleges the lawsuit was designed to pressure him into a payout.

“The reason Kuhn filed this lawsuit was to pressure the Stern parties into making an outlandish payment to make her go away,” the filing states.

His attorney, Ilene Farkas, said in a statement to Page Six that Stern “is not going to play this out in public,” adding that the couple is entitled to enforce confidentiality agreements signed by employees working in their home and private lives.

Stern also claims he never intended to publicly discuss the assistant’s termination and planned to provide only neutral references.

Dispute Centers on NDAs and Employment Claims

The lawsuit, filed by former assistant Leslie Kuhn, hinges on two confidentiality and nondisclosure agreements she claims she never signed. She is seeking a court ruling declaring those agreements unenforceable so she can respond to alleged accusations and protect her reputation.

Stern disputes that claim, citing emails he says prove Kuhn knowingly signed both documents, including one message that allegedly read, “Signed NDA attached.”

He also alleges that he and his legal team presented this evidence to Kuhn and her attorney before the lawsuit was filed.

Kuhn’s Attorney Pushes Back

Kuhn’s lawyer, John J. Leonard, told Page Six they will “vigorously oppose” the motion to dismiss, arguing it does not undermine the case.

“We anticipate that the surprise unveiling of yet another alleged NDA at the eleventh hour will only expand litigation, not curtail it,” Leonard said.

Background: Hostile Work Environment Allegations

Page Six first reported the lawsuit earlier this month, in which Kuhn alleged a hostile work environment while managing the Sterns’ Hamptons home.

Her complaint describes “immense pressure,” including assisting with Beth Stern’s in-home cat rescue and fostering operation.

Kuhn, who began working for SiriusXM in 2022 as an office manager for The Howard Stern Show, was later promoted to executive assistant before being terminated earlier this year.

Past Criticism From Former Staff Resurfaces

The dispute comes amid renewed attention on past claims from former Stern staffers, featured in Dark Side of the 2000s Shock Jocks on Vice TV.

Jackie Martling, a longtime contributor to the show, alleged employees “weren’t getting paid well” despite Stern earning millions.

Steve Grillo also criticized his experience, claiming he went unpaid for years while working for the show.