NRI PULSE STAFF REPORT
NYC, NEW YORK, April 30, 2026: A senior executive at JPMorgan Chase has been accused in a civil lawsuit of sexually abusing, racially harassing, and coercing a junior male employee of Indian origin, allegations the bank has denied following an internal investigation.
The lawsuit, filed April 27 in New York County Supreme Court, names Lorna Hajdini, an executive director in the firm’s Leveraged Finance division, and identifies the complainant as “John Doe.” According to the complaint, the alleged abuse began in the spring of 2024 after the two started working together.
The plaintiff claims Hajdini made repeated unwanted sexual advances, used explicit language, and invoked his race during encounters, referring to him as a “Brown boy Indian” while questioning his professional prospects. The lawsuit alleges that she threatened to damage his career, including promotions and standing within the firm, if he did not comply with her demands.
According to the filing, the alleged conduct escalated over several months. The plaintiff alleges that Hajdini pressured him into meeting outside of work and, on multiple occasions, issued threats tied to his employment. In one instance cited in the complaint, she allegedly warned that management would not support “some Brown boy Indian leading originations,” and threatened to sabotage his promotion if he refused her advances.
The complaint also describes multiple encounters that the plaintiff characterizes as non-consensual and degrading, including incidents involving coercive sexual acts accompanied by racially offensive remarks. A witness in a nearby room allegedly overheard part of one such encounter, according to the lawsuit.
The lawsuit further alleges that Hajdini admitted to drugging the plaintiff with Rohypnol, commonly referred to as a “date-rape drug,” along with another substance intended to enhance sexual performance.
The plaintiff states that he filed a formal complaint with the bank in May 2025, detailing what he described as severe sexual abuse, as well as racial and gender-based harassment. However, the bank said it found no evidence to substantiate the claims.
“Following an investigation, we don’t believe there’s any merit to these claims,” a spokesperson for JPMorgan Chase said in a statement, adding that while multiple employees cooperated, the complainant declined to participate in the internal probe.
The plaintiff’s attorney, Daniel J. Kaiser, said his client has suffered significant personal and professional harm as a result of the alleged conduct. The lawsuit seeks damages for lost earnings, emotional distress, and reputational harm, as well as punitive damages and changes to company practices.
Hajdini, who has been with JPMorgan for nearly 15 years, remains employed at the firm, according to reports. She holds a degree in finance and statistics from New York University Stern School of Business and has also completed executive education at Harvard Business School.
The allegations have not been proven in court, and the case remains pending.
