Former JPMorgan Employee Accuses Executive of Sexual Abuse; Bank Says Probe Found No Evidence

Key facts

• Lorna Hajdini, 37, is an executive director on JPMorgan's leveraged finance team.
• The lawsuit was filed on Monday under the pseudonym John Doe at the New York County Supreme Court.
• The complainant is Chirayu Rana, 35, now a principal at Bregal Sagemount, according to sources.
• Rana filed an internal grievance in May 2025 alleging race- and gender-based harassment and abuse of power.
• JPMorgan's internal investigation reviewed team phone records and emails and found no evidence supporting the allegations.
• The complainant declined to participate in the internal investigation and refused to provide key details.
• to Hajdini; both worked on the same team under different managing directors.
• The lawsuit also names JPMorgan Chase as a defendant, accusing the bank of retaliation and failure to investigate.

Lawsuit Alleges Drugging and Coercion on JPMorgan's Leveraged Finance Team

A former JPMorgan employee has filed a lawsuit accusing a senior executive of subjecting him to sexual abuse, including drugging him with Rohypnol and Viagra and threatening to cut his bonus if he did not comply. The suit, filed Monday under the pseudonym John Doe in New York County Supreme Court, has since been withdrawn for corrections, according to court filings. The defendant, Lorna Hajdini, 37, is an executive director on the bank's leveraged finance team. Her lawyers issued a statement categorically denying the allegations, saying she never engaged in any inappropriate conduct and has never even been to the location where the alleged assault supposedly took place. JPMorgan Chase, also named as a defendant, has strongly denied the claims. A bank spokesperson said a thorough internal investigation by the HR department and in-house lawyers found no evidence to support the allegations.

Internal Investigation Finds No Evidence; Complainant Refused to Cooperate

The bank's probe included a review of team phone records and emails. While several employees cooperated, the complainant declined to participate and refused to provide key details that could substantiate the case, the spokesperson added. “Following an investigation, we don’t believe there’s any merit to these claims,” the spokesperson said. The internal grievance was filed in May 2025, alleging race- and gender-based harassment and abuse of power. Sources told The Post that after filing the complaint, the complainant attempted to negotiate a multi-million-pound settlement to exit the firm. The lawsuit also accuses JPMorgan of retaliation and failing to properly investigate the matter.

Complainant Identified as Chirayu Rana, a Former Colleague on the Same Team

Multiple sources have identified the complainant as Chirayu Rana, 35, now a principal at investment firm Bregal Sagemount. Rana did not respond to multiple requests for comment. Rana joined JPMorgan's leveraged finance team in spring 2024, according to sources. The lawsuit claims the alleged coercion began shortly after his arrival. However, the two did not have a reporting relationship: to managing director Brandon Graffeo, while Rana was supervised by managing director Jon Wolter. This structure meant Hajdini had no authority over Rana's annual bonus, challenging a key claim in the lawsuit. A colleague described Rana as “socially awkward” but competent in meeting job expectations.

Hajdini Denies Allegations, Continues Working at Bank; Attorneys Rebut Claims

Hajdini, a graduate of NYU Stern School of Business, also volunteers with Minds Matter, a non-profit supporting underprivileged students. She continues to work at JPMorgan, where associates describe her as a “top performer.” Her lawyers issued a strong rebuttal to The New York Post, stating: “Lorna categorically denies the allegations. She never engaged in any inappropriate conduct with this individual of any kind and has never even been to the location where the alleged sexual assault supposedly took place.” One source familiar with the situation alleged that the claims had unfairly damaged her reputation. “He has tarnished her with a complete fabrication,” the source told The Post.

Legal and Procedural Details: Pseudonym Filing, Attorney, and Court Status

The lawsuit was filed under the pseudonym John Doe, a common practice in sensitive cases. The attorney listed on the docket is Daniel J. Kaiser, who did not return calls seeking comment. on the case, citing details from a court filing that has since been withdrawn for corrections. Hajdini had turned up unannounced at Rana's apartment and forced him to have sex, but those details were based on now-deleted court papers. The New York County Supreme Court docket shows the case was filed Monday. It remains unclear when the corrected complaint will be refiled.

Background on the Parties and Wider Implications

Rana previously worked at Houlihan Lokey, Credit Suisse, TCG Capital Markets, Morgan Stanley, and The Carlyle Group before joining JPMorgan. He is currently associated with Bregal Sagemount, a New York-based investment firm focused on software, digital infrastructure, healthcare IT, and financial services. Hajdini's background includes a degree from NYU Stern and volunteer work with Minds Matter. The case has drawn significant attention due to the serious nature of the allegations and the high-profile denial. The outcome of the lawsuit, once refiled, will depend on evidence presented. The bank's internal investigation, which the complainant did not participate in, found no merit to the claims. the lack of cooperation could weaken the plaintiff's case.

Open Questions and Next Steps in the Legal Battle

The corrected complaint has not yet been refiled, leaving the exact allegations in flux. It remains to be seen whether Rana will provide the key details that JPMorgan says he withheld during the internal probe. JPMorgan's spokesperson reiterated that the bank stands by its investigation. The bank has not taken any action against Hajdini, who remains in her role. The case highlights the challenges of investigating workplace misconduct when complainants decline to participate. For now, both sides are preparing for a legal process that could take months or longer.

The bottom line

• Lorna Hajdini, a JPMorgan executive director, has been accused in a lawsuit of sexual abuse and coercion by a former colleague, Chirayu Rana.
• JPMorgan's internal investigation, which reviewed phone records and emails, found no evidence to support the allegations; the complainant refused to cooperate.
• to Hajdini, undermining the claim that she could threaten his bonus.
• The lawsuit, filed under a pseudonym, has been withdrawn for corrections; the attorney representing the plaintiff has not commented.
• Hajdini continues to work at JPMorgan and denies all allegations, with her lawyers stating she has never been to the location of the alleged assault.
• The case raises questions about the handling of internal complaints and the credibility of allegations when the accuser declines to participate in an investigation.