Ex-JPMorgan Banker Accused of Fabricating Harassment Claims Against Executive Lorna Hajdini

Key facts

• Chirayu Rana, 35, a former JPMorgan employee now at Bregal Sagemount, filed a lawsuit under the pseudonym John Doe on Monday.
• The suit accused executive director Lorna Hajdini, 37, of drugging Rana with Rohypnol and Viagra and threatening his bonus to coerce sex.
• JPMorgan's internal probe, including review of phone records and emails, found no evidence to support the claims.
• to Hajdini; they were colleagues on the leveraged finance team.
• Rana filed an internal complaint in May 2025 and sought a multi-million dollar payoff to leave the company.
• The Daily Mail published lurid details from a now-retracted court document that has been withdrawn for corrections.
• Hajdini categorically denied the allegations, stating she never engaged in any inappropriate conduct and had never been to the location of the alleged assault.

A Lawsuit Unravels

A sexual harassment lawsuit that rocked JPMorgan Chase this week is collapsing under the weight of its own contradictions. The plaintiff, identified by multiple sources as former banker Chirayu Rana, has left his new job at investment firm Bregal Sagemount and begun deleting his online presence as the bank's internal investigation found no merit to his claims. The suit, filed Monday in New York County Supreme Court under the pseudonym John Doe, accused executive director Lorna Hajdini of turning Rana into her "sex slave" by drugging him with Rohypnol and Viagra and threatening to slash his bonus if he did not comply. The allegations were first published by the Daily Mail on Wednesday evening, which cited a now-retracted court document that has been withdrawn for "corrections." But the narrative quickly began to fray. JPMorgan's internal probe, conducted by the human resources department and in-house lawyers, reviewed team phone records and emails and found no evidence to support the claims. The bank stated that while numerous employees cooperated with the investigation, the complainant refused to participate and declined to provide facts central to his allegations.

The Accuser and the Accused

Chirayu Rana, 35, joined JPMorgan's leveraged finance team in the spring of 2024, where he worked alongside Lorna Hajdini, 37, an executive director on the same team. to Hajdini; they were simply colleagues on the team that handles large corporate acquisitions, mergers, and buyouts. Rana filed an internal complaint in May 2025, alleging race- and gender-based harassment and abuse of power. He then attempted to negotiate a payoff that ran into the millions to leave the company, sources said. When that failed, he filed the lawsuit that has now drawn intense scrutiny. Hajdini hit back forcefully through her lawyers, 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."

The Investigation and Its Findings

JPMorgan's internal investigation was thorough, according to a bank spokesperson. The probe included a review of team phone records and emails, and numerous employees cooperated. The spokesperson said: "Following an investigation, we don't believe there's any merit to these claims. While numerous employees cooperated with the investigation, the complainant refused to participate and has declined to provide facts that would be central to support his allegations." The bank's findings directly contradicted Rana's account. The suit, which also named JPMorgan Chase as a defendant for alleged retaliation and failure to investigate properly, now appears to rest on shaky ground. Daniel J. Kaiser, the attorney listed on the court docket as representing "John Doe," did not return calls seeking comment. Rana himself has not responded to multiple requests for comment. His departure from Bregal Sagemount and the deletion of his online presence suggest a retreat from the public eye.

The Role of the Media and Legal Maneuvers

The case took a sensational turn when the Daily Mail published lurid details from the court document, including allegations that Hajdini turned up unannounced at Rana's apartment and forced him to have sex. However, the document was later withdrawn for "corrections," casting doubt on the veracity of the claims. Hajdini's allies have called Rana's claims a fabrication. One source told The Post: "He has tarnished her with a complete fabrication." The lawsuit, filed under a pseudonym, allowed Rana to make serious accusations without immediately revealing his identity, but the veil has now been lifted. The legal strategy of filing under a pseudonym is often used in sensitive cases, but it also shields the plaintiff from immediate public scrutiny. With Rana's identity now known, the focus has shifted to his credibility and the inconsistencies in his story.

Wider Context: JPMorgan and Workplace Culture

The controversy comes at a time when JPMorgan Chase, under CEO Jamie Dimon, has been vocal about workplace culture. Dimon recently criticized remote work policies, stating that companies that work from the office will outperform those that rely on remote work. The bank has also emphasized diversity and inclusion initiatives, including mentorship programs for veterans. However, the Rana case highlights the challenges banks face in handling internal complaints. JPMorgan's investigation found no evidence, but the mere filing of such a lawsuit can damage reputations. The bank has stated that it takes all allegations seriously and conducts thorough investigations. The case also underscores the power dynamics in high-stakes finance, where bonuses and career advancement can be leveraged. Rana's attempt to negotiate a multi-million dollar payoff before filing suit suggests a calculated approach that has now backfired.

What Comes Next

With Rana's lawsuit unraveling, the legal and reputational fallout is just beginning. Hajdini has denied all allegations and is likely to seek dismissal of the case. JPMorgan has stood by its investigation and rejected any wrongdoing. Rana, now without a job at Bregal Sagemount and with his online presence erased, faces an uncertain future. If the court finds the claims to be fabricated, he could face sanctions or counterclaims for defamation. The case serves as a cautionary tale about the power of unsubstantiated allegations in the age of social media and viral news. For JPMorgan, the incident may prompt a review of how it handles internal complaints and protects employees from false accusations.

A Question of Trust

The JPMorgan harassment saga is a stark reminder that not all accusations are true, and that the rush to judgment can cause irreparable harm. Lorna Hajdini's career and reputation have been put under a microscope based on claims that the bank itself found meritless. For the financial industry, the case raises questions about how to balance the need to address genuine harassment with the protection of individuals from fabricated stories. As the legal process unfolds, the truth will ultimately be determined in court, but the damage to all parties involved is already done.

The bottom line

• Chirayu Rana's sexual harassment lawsuit against JPMorgan executive Lorna Hajdini is based on allegations that an internal investigation found to be without merit.
• Rana, who filed under a pseudonym, has left his new job and deleted his online presence as the case against him mounts.
• JPMorgan's probe included review of phone records and emails; the complainant refused to participate.
• Hajdini has categorically denied the allegations and stated she never visited the location of the alleged assault.
• The case highlights the risks of unsubstantiated claims and the importance of thorough investigations in workplace misconduct disputes.
• Rana's attempt to negotiate a multi-million dollar payoff before filing suit suggests a pattern of leveraging accusations for financial gain.