A senior executive at JPMorgan Chase has been accused of sexually harassing, assaulting, and coercing a junior male colleague, according to a lawsuit cited in a recent media report.
The lawsuit alleges that Lorna Hajdini, an executive director in leveraged finance, used her position of authority to subject the employee to months of abuse, including sexual assault, racial harassment, and threats to sabotage his career if he refused her advances.
The plaintiff, identified as John Doe in court filings, claims the alleged misconduct began shortly after he started working with Hajdini in the spring of 2024.
Allegations Detailed in the Complaint
According to the lawsuit, Doe alleges that Hajdini made inappropriate physical contact early in their professional relationship and that her behavior escalated into explicit sexual propositions and threats tied to his employment and promotion prospects.
The complaint further claims that Hajdini coerced Doe into non-consensual sexual acts over several months, despite his repeated objections. He alleges that she threatened professional retaliation if he did not comply and made derogatory racial remarks during multiple encounters.
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In particularly serious claims, Doe alleges that Hajdini admitted to drugging him with sedatives on more than one occasion and that she mocked him when he showed distress during the alleged assaults. The lawsuit states that Doe complied out of fear that refusing would damage his career at the firm.
Claims of Racial Harassment and Retaliation
The filing also accuses Hajdini of using racially charged language toward Doe and making disparaging comments about his wife. According to the complaint, she allegedly suggested his future at the firm depended on satisfying her demands and repeatedly asserted control over his professional standing.
Doe alleges that the abuse continued into late summer 2024, including further threats tied to performance reviews and promotion decisions.
JPMorgan Responds
JPMorgan has denied the allegations. A spokesperson for the bank stated that an internal investigation found no evidence supporting the claims.
“Following an investigation, we do not believe there is any merit to these allegations,” the spokesperson said, adding that while employees cooperated with the inquiry, the complainant declined to participate in the internal process.
The lawsuit remains ongoing, and the claims have not been adjudicated in court.
Who Is Lorna Hajdini?
Hajdini, 37, is a longtime JPMorgan employee who joined the firm in 2011. According to publicly available professional profiles, she rose from analyst to vice president in 2018 and was promoted to executive director in 2021, specializing in leveraged finance.
She is a graduate of New York University’s Stern School of Business and has completed executive education programs at Harvard Business School. Her role involves advising private equity and corporate clients on complex financing transactions, particularly in the technology sector.
Legal Status
The allegations outlined in the lawsuit remain unproven. No criminal charges have been announced, and the case is expected to proceed through the civil court system.
JPMorgan has not indicated whether Hajdini remains in her role as the legal process continues.
