Former Employees Unveil Details About Howard Stern Show Prior to Lawsuit
Former workers from The Howard Stern Show have shared the “frightening” realities of their experiences on the radio program.
Three years prior to Stern’s executive assistant suing him for allegedly fostering a hostile work environment, other former employees discussed their concerns, including low pay, in the Vice TV docuseries Dark Side of the 2000s.
Jackie Martling, who served as a writer and cast member from 1983 to 2001, stated that most of the team “weren’t getting paid well” despite Stern “making countless millions.”
“It was frightening what was happening,” Martling, now 78, remarked back then, adding, “The amount of money coming in was just insane.”
Martling ultimately departed the show due to Stern’s unwillingness to raise his salary.
“You are incredibly rich and successful, and you have someone beside you who makes the job even more enjoyable. And you let them go?” Martling remarked. “Just because he asked for more money? Especially since you’re friends. It doesn’t make sense.”
Martling directly challenged Stern, 73, stating, “He has his listeners calling me cheap while he boasts about being the most loyal guy around … which is quite ironic.”
John Melendez mentioned he earned only $20,000 a year and, after spending 15 years on the show earning $75,000, left for a position with Jay Leno making between $350,000 and $400,000.
“He couldn’t allow me to grow and be happy,” Melendez, now 60, reflected on his time with Stern.
In other episodes of the 2023 docuseries, Steve Grillo, an intern from 1991 to 1998, claimed he was unpaid for the first six years.
Randy Holmes/Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty Images
“I eventually started getting paid about 30 hours a week at minimum wage, which was around $6.35 back then,” he explained. “So I was compensated for 30 hours while actually working about 60.”
Grillo, now 58, recalled asking K-Rock vice president Tom Chiusano for a raise to qualify for health insurance, but his request was allegedly denied. When he approached Stern, he claims Stern replied, “Yeah, well, that’s just Tom.” Grillo voiced his disappointment at Stern’s lack of support, saying, “It’s unfair not to advocate for someone who has dedicated years to you.”
He continued: “You’re making a million dollars an hour while I’m forced to work at a nightclub to make ends meet. This was the moment I decided to leave. If he won’t stand up for me, I’m gone.”
Stern has not publicly responded to the allegations presented in the docuseries as of now.
Us Weekly confirmed on April 6 that Leslie Kuhn has filed a lawsuit against Howard and his wife, Beth Stern. According to the court documents, Kuhn was hired as an office manager for SiriusXM’s The Howard Stern Show in September 2022 and became Howard’s executive assistant by January 2024.
Kuhn claims she was later asked to move to Southampton, New York, to assist Howard and Beth in their mansion.
“Beth Stern told Kuhn that, aside from aiding [Howard], she needed help with managing the mansion staff, organizing schedules, handling payroll, and managing the extensive animal rescue operations conducted within the home,” the documents noted.
Kuhn’s employment was reportedly terminated for cause in February.
“Kuhn asserts that her termination resulted from, among other factors, a hostile work environment and the reinforcement of that environment, significant pressures from uncontrolled animal rescue operations on-site, and chaotic business and accounting practices,” the court documents stated. “Kuhn intends to disclose details regarding her employment circumstances.”
The lawsuit claims Kuhn was offered a separation agreement including a nondisclosure clause that she reportedly did not sign. She has asked the court to declare the NDA unenforceable and to require the Sterns to cover her legal fees.
