Tech

JPMorgan Executive Lorna Hajdini Sued for Sexual Abuse, Racial Harassment by Junior Colleague

A married Indian-origin banker alleges the senior executive drugged and coerced him over months, threatening his career if he resisted.

4 min
JPMorgan Executive Lorna Hajdini Sued for Sexual Abuse, Racial Harassment by Junior Colleague
A married Indian-origin banker alleges the senior executive drugged and coerced him over months, threatening his career Credit · The Express Tribune

Key facts

  • Lorna Hajdini, 37, is an Executive Director in JPMorgan's Leveraged Finance division in New York.
  • The anonymous plaintiff, John Doe, is a married Indian-origin Senior Vice President at the bank.
  • The lawsuit was filed in the New York County Supreme Court in 2025.
  • Allegations include sexual abuse, coercion, drugging with roofies, and racial slurs like 'my little Arab boy toy.'
  • Hajdini allegedly said: 'If you don’t f* me soon, I’m going to ruin you, never forget, I f*** own you.'
  • JPMorgan conducted an internal investigation and stated it found no merit in the claims.
  • The plaintiff was placed on involuntary leave while Hajdini remains at the bank.
  • Hajdini is a graduate of NYU Stern and has executive training at Harvard Business School.

A Lawsuit Shakes Wall Street: Senior Banker Accused of Coercion and Abuse

A lawsuit filed in New York has placed JPMorgan executive Lorna Hajdini at the center of a high-profile legal dispute, with an anonymous junior colleague accusing her of sexual abuse, coercion, and racially charged harassment. The plaintiff, identified as John Doe, alleges that Hajdini leveraged her authority as a senior executive to force him into non-consensual acts over several months, beginning in 2024. The case has drawn renewed scrutiny to the bank's workplace culture and the treatment of junior staff.

The Allegations: A Pattern of Threats, Drugging, and Racial Slurs

According to the complaint, Hajdini's interactions with Doe began as professional conversations but quickly escalated into unwanted sexual advances and threats. Doe claims that Hajdini used the date-rape drug roofies on him multiple times during forced interactions. When he resisted, she allegedly warned: 'If you don’t f* me soon, I’m going to ruin you, never forget, I f*** own you.' The lawsuit also details racially derogatory remarks, including calling Doe 'my little Arab boy toy' and using terms like 'Brown boy' and 'Brown boy Indian.' Doe, who is married and of Indian origin, said Hajdini insulted his wife with racial slurs during sexual acts.

JPMorgan’s Response: Internal Investigation Finds No Merit

JPMorgan has denied the allegations following an internal review, with a spokesperson stating that the company does not believe there is merit to the claims. According to the bank, Doe failed to provide necessary information to validate his allegations during the investigation. In response to the complaint, the bank placed Doe on involuntary leave, while Hajdini continues to work at the firm. The plaintiff's legal team argues that this response has damaged his professional reputation and career prospects.

Hajdini’s Career and Financial Standing

Lorna Hajdini, 37, has spent more than a decade at JPMorgan, rising to Executive Director in the Leveraged Finance division in New York. Her role involves overseeing complex financings for private equity and tech clients, giving her considerable influence over junior staff evaluations and bonuses. She holds a degree from New York University’s Stern School of Business and has executive training at Harvard Business School. While no official net worth figure is available, industry benchmarks suggest her compensation at this level can exceed $200,000 annually, supplemented by bonuses and stock incentives, placing her net worth in the several million dollar range.

The Plaintiff’s Ordeal: A Married Banker’s Fight for Justice

John Doe, who joined JPMorgan as a Senior Vice President, alleges that Hajdini misused her senior position to force him into non-consensual sexual acts, threatening to sabotage his career if he did not comply. Unable to bear the 'torture,' Doe pleaded with Hajdini to stop, but she continued to leverage her authority over his promotions and job security. The lawsuit seeks compensation for emotional distress, reputational harm, and career threats. Doe's case has raised questions about the safety of male subordinates in the corporate sector, particularly in high-pressure financial environments.

Legal and Corporate Implications: What Comes Next

The legal process remains ongoing, with further developments expected as the case proceeds in the New York County Supreme Court. The allegations, though unproven, have already sparked public debate about workplace harassment and the power dynamics between senior and junior employees. JPMorgan’s denial and the plaintiff’s involuntary leave have added layers of complexity to the case. Observers are watching closely to see whether the lawsuit will prompt broader changes in how financial institutions handle harassment claims, especially those involving male victims.

The bottom line

  • Lorna Hajdini, a JPMorgan executive, faces a lawsuit alleging sexual abuse, coercion, and racial harassment by a junior male colleague.
  • The plaintiff, John Doe, claims Hajdini drugged him with roofies and threatened to ruin his career if he did not comply.
  • JPMorgan conducted an internal investigation and found no merit in the allegations, but the plaintiff says his career suffered as a result.
  • Hajdini remains at the bank while Doe was placed on involuntary leave, raising questions about fairness in the process.
  • The case highlights power imbalances in corporate finance and the challenges faced by male victims of workplace harassment.
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