JPMorgan executive accused of drugging and coercing junior colleague in New York lawsuit

Key facts

• Lorna Hajdini, 37, is an executive director in JPMorgan Chase's Leveraged Finance team.
• John Doe joined the bank in March 2024; Hajdini joined the same team a month later.
• The alleged abuse began in May 2024 and continued for several months.
• Doe claims Hajdini admitted to drugging him with Rohypnol on multiple occasions.
• Two witnesses are said to support parts of Doe's account.
• Doe filed a formal complaint in May 2025, after which he was placed on leave and lost system access.
• JPMorgan Chase says an internal investigation found no evidence to support the claims.
• Hajdini remains employed at the bank.

A junior employee’s allegations of abuse inside a global banking giant

A lawsuit filed at New York County Supreme Court accuses a senior JPMorgan Chase executive of subjecting a junior colleague to months of harassment, coercion, and assault. The plaintiff, identified only as John Doe to protect his identity after receiving threats, says the abuse began shortly after he and executive director Lorna Hajdini started working together in spring 2024. Doe joined the bank in March 2024; Hajdini joined the same Leveraged Finance team a month later. The complaint describes a pattern of escalating misconduct that moved from inappropriate remarks to forced sexual acts. Doe claims that when he resisted Hajdini’s advances, she threatened his career, implying that promotions depended on his compliance. The lawsuit states that two witnesses can corroborate parts of his account.

Allegations of drugging, racial abuse, and financial surveillance

Among the most serious claims, Doe alleges that Hajdini admitted to drugging him with substances including Rohypnol to render him unable to resist sexual encounters. The filing also includes accusations of racial abuse: Doe, who is Asian, says Hajdini made offensive remarks during several incidents. Additionally, Doe claims Hajdini accessed his bank account without permission to track his movements, describing this as part of a broader pattern of controlling behavior.

Retaliation after filing a formal complaint

Doe says that after filing a formal internal complaint in May 2025, he faced retaliation rather than protection. He was placed on leave, lost access to work systems, and received threatening calls and messages, some referencing his race and warning him to drop the matter. The lawsuit claims that senior staff gave negative references when Doe began seeking other jobs in late 2024, making it difficult for him to find new employment.

JPMorgan Chase denies wrongdoing, cites lack of evidence

JPMorgan Chase has denied the allegations. A spokesperson stated that an internal review found no evidence to support Doe’s claims, adding: 'Following an investigation, we don't believe there's any merit to these claims.' The company said several employees participated in the investigation but that the complainant did not provide key details to support his case. Hajdini remains employed at the bank.

The power imbalance at the heart of the case

The lawsuit highlights the stark power disparity between a junior employee and a senior executive at one of the world’s largest financial institutions. Doe’s allegations suggest that Hajdini leveraged her position to control and exploit him, both professionally and personally. The case raises questions about how effectively internal mechanisms protect employees who speak out against powerful figures.

What comes next: legal proceedings and unanswered questions

The case now moves through the New York court system, where both parties will have the opportunity to present evidence. Key unanswered questions include whether additional witnesses will come forward and whether the bank’s internal investigation was thorough. The outcome could have broader implications for workplace accountability in the finance industry.

The bottom line

• A junior JPMorgan employee alleges months of sexual assault, drugging, and racial abuse by executive director Lorna Hajdini.
• The plaintiff, John Doe, says he faced retaliation after filing a formal complaint, including being placed on leave and receiving threats.
• JPMorgan Chase denies the claims, stating an internal investigation found no evidence to support them.
• Hajdini remains employed at the bank while the lawsuit proceeds.
• The case underscores the challenges of reporting misconduct in hierarchical workplaces.