JPMorgan Exec Faces New York Harassment Lawsuit
JPMorgan Exec Faces New York Harassment Lawsuit
New York-based lawsuit accuses JPMorgan executive Lorna Hajdini of coercion and racial harassment toward a junior male employee, prompting internal reviews and a firm denial.
A senior JPMorgan Chase executive, Lorna Hajdini, is at the center of a lawsuit filed in New York by a former male staffer who alleges coercion, racial harassment and treatment described as a form of control. The complaint, filed under the pseudonym John Doe, has identified the complainant as Chirayu Rana, a South Asian employee, and has raised questions about how power dynamics are managed in the bank’s leverage-finance division. Hajdini, 37, has denied the allegations, and JPMorgan said its internal review found no merit in the claims.
The lawsuit, which was retracted for corrections after its initial filing, centers on an alleged pattern of abuse that, according to the filing, began in the spring of 2024 and intensified over time. The plaintiff claims Hajdini coerced him into sexual encounters and used drugs—specifically Rohypnol and Viagra—as part of the alleged abuse. The complaint also alleges that the executive threatened the complainant’s bonus as leverage to secure compliance. The bank, however, has pushed back, stating that the internal inquiry did not uncover supporting evidence for the allegations. Hajdini reportedly deleted her LinkedIn profile, and her Instagram account appeared inaccessible, fueling speculation and scrutiny on social media.
If the accusations hold, the case would add to ongoing scrutiny of workplace conduct within major financial institutions. Hajdini has been with JPMorgan for about 15 years, rising to executive director in the leveraged-finance division. The role reportedly involves steering large corporate deals and financing transactions. Public records show she joined the bank as an analyst in 2011 and became an executive in 2021. She studied finance and statistics at New York University’s Stern School of Business and later attended Harvard Business School. The evolving legal narrative continues as both sides prepare further legal steps and await additional filings or clarifications from the court.
Observers say the case may catalyze broader conversations about accountability, internal investigations and the protections available to employees who raise concerns in high-pressure finance environments. As the legal process unfolds, stakeholders will be watching for any new developments, while JPMorgan maintains its stance that the allegations are without merit.
