A former colleague files a lawsuit alleging months of intimidation and coercion against a senior banker.
Category: Politics
A senior executive at JPMorgan Chase has been accused of a prolonged campaign of sexual assault and racial harassment in a lawsuit filed in New York County Supreme Court. The complaint, submitted on April 27, 2026, names Lorna Hajdini, an executive director in the bank’s leveraged finance division, as the primary defendant, alongside JPMorgan Chase itself, which is accused of enabling the alleged abuse and retaliating against the plaintiff.
The plaintiff, identified only as John Doe, is a married Asian banker who joined JPMorgan in March 2024. His allegations detail a disturbing pattern of misconduct that began shortly after Hajdini assumed a senior role overseeing him. According to the lawsuit, the alleged harassment commenced in spring 2024 and included unsolicited sexual advances, racial slurs, and threats related to his career progression.
Doe claims that Hajdini used her authority to pressure him into repeated sexual encounters, starting with an unsolicited advance at his desk in May 2024. He alleges that she propositioned him for oral sex on multiple occasions and linked his professional advancement to his compliance with her demands. The situation reportedly escalated to the point where she allegedly drugged him with Rohypnol, commonly known as “roofies,” before engaging in sexual acts against his will.
In a particularly alarming account, Doe described an incident where Hajdini purportedly demanded his compliance during a visit to an apartment where he was staying, directly threatening his standing at the bank. The complaint also includes claims of racially abusive language directed at both him and his wife, with Hajdini allegedly referring to him with derogatory terms such as "brown boy" and "Arab boy toy." These actions contributed to what Doe describes as a hostile work environment.
The harassment reportedly continued into September 2024, when Hajdini allegedly berated Doe over his business performance and threatened to sabotage his promotion if he did not acquiesce to her demands. Feeling trapped, Doe claims he complied out of fear of professional retaliation.
After experiencing continued distress, Doe began seeking employment elsewhere in late 2024. He alleges that Hajdini and other senior managers provided damaging references that undermined his job search. In May 2025, he submitted a formal complaint to JPMorgan detailing the race- and gender-based harassment he had endured, as well as the severe sexual abuse he experienced.
Within days of filing his grievance, Doe claims he faced retaliation from the bank, including being placed on involuntary leave and losing access to company systems. He also reported receiving anonymous threatening calls after his complaint, including one voicemail from someone claiming to be a JPMorgan manager, and another threatening to contact immigration authorities about him and his family.
Lorna Hajdini, 37, has been with JPMorgan since 2011 and was promoted to executive director in the leveraged finance division in 2021. Her role involves advising on complex financing deals for various sectors, including technology and logistics. The allegations against her emerge at a time when workplace harassment and abuse are under increasing scrutiny across various industries, particularly in finance, where power dynamics can create environments conducive to misconduct.
The lawsuit highlights broader issues of gender and racial discrimination in corporate settings. Many organizations are grappling with how to address such allegations effectively and protect employees from retaliation. The claims against Hajdini echo similar cases in the past where individuals have faced harassment from those in positions of power, raising questions about accountability within large financial institutions.
JPMorgan Chase has publicly denied the allegations, stating, "Following an investigation, we do not believe there is any merit to these claims." A spokesperson added that numerous employees cooperated with the investigation, but the complainant refused to participate, which they argue undermines his allegations.
As the lawsuit progresses, John Doe is seeking damages for emotional distress, lost earnings, reputational harm, and punitive compensation. He is also advocating for changes to workplace practices at JPMorgan to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future. His attorney, Daniel J. Kaiser, described the allegations as "horrendous" and noted that Doe has been diagnosed with PTSD as a result of the alleged abuse.
The case is expected to draw attention for its serious allegations and for the potential implications it may have on JPMorgan’s policies and culture. The financial giant, known for its global presence and influence, may face increased pressure to implement more stringent measures against workplace harassment and to protect whistleblowers who report such incidents.
In the coming weeks, both parties will likely engage in discovery, where evidence will be gathered and exchanged. The outcome of this lawsuit could have lasting effects on the careers of those involved and may serve as a bellwether for how similar claims are handled in the finance industry.
As of now, Hajdini remains employed at JPMorgan Chase and has not publicly responded to the lawsuit. The legal proceedings will continue to evolve, with both sides preparing for what could be a lengthy battle in court.