JPMorgan, Executive Deny Abuse Allegations In Lawsuit Filed By Banker Chirayu Rana

Photo: NY Post/Sage Mount

India-West News Desk

NEW YORK, NY– Finance professional Chirayu Rana has been identified in media reports as the individual who filed a lawsuit as “John Doe,” accusing a senior female JPMorgan Chase executive of sexual abuse, racial harassment and professional threats. The allegations have been categorically and forcefully denied by both the executive and the bank.

The New York Post revealed John Doe to be Rana.

The complaint, filed in New York County Supreme Court, names Lorna Hajdini, a 37-year-old executive director in JPMorgan’s leveraged finance division. The complaint alleges the conduct began in spring 2024 after the two started working together.

According to the filing, Hajdini made repeated sexual advances and threats tied to Rana’s career. The lawsuit quotes her as saying, “If you don’t fk me soon, I’m going to ruin you… I fking own you.”

It further alleges she made racially charged remarks, including: “You really think [management] want some Brown boy Indian leading originations?” and threatened to block his promotion if he refused her demands.

The complaint also states that Hajdini admitted to drugging Rana with Rohypnol and another substance intended to enable sexual performance during encounters he describes as coerced.

In another instance described in the filing, Hajdini is accused of forcing sexual contact at Rana’s apartment. When he became distressed, she allegedly said: “Stop f**king crying. You think anyone would ever believe you?”

Hajdini has denied the allegations. In a statement issued through her lawyers to the New York Post, she said she has “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.”

JPMorgan also rejected the claims. A spokesperson told the media, “Following an investigation, we don’t believe there’s any merit to these claims,” adding that the complainant declined to participate in the internal process or provide supporting information.

The bank’s internal review was conducted by its human resources and legal teams and included examination of internal communications, according to reports cited by the New York Post.

The Daily Mail reported that parts of the court filing were later withdrawn for corrections. It also reported that Rana had filed an internal complaint in May 2025 alleging harassment and discrimination.

Rana’s attorney, Daniel J. Kaiser, said his client has been “devastated personally and professionally” and is seeking damages for lost earnings, emotional distress, reputational harm, and punitive damages, along with changes to workplace practices.

Reports said Rana and Hajdini worked in the same division but reported to different managers.

Rana, according to media reports ahd worked at Houlihan Lokey, Credit Suisse, Morgan Stanley and the Carlyle Group. He is also a former Rutgers basketball player and is currently a principal at Bregal Sagemount.

Hajdini, a JPMorgan employee for nearly 15 years, holds a degree in finance and statistics from New York University’s Stern School of Business and has completed executive education at Harvard Business School. Reports described her as a “top performer” in leveraged finance.