Who is Lorna Hajdini, the JPMorgan exec accused of using junior as 'sex slave'

A former male employee has accused JPMorgan executive Lorna Hajdini of sexual abuse, coercion and racial harassment in a bombshell lawsuit. Hajdini has denied the allegations. However, this case has put spotlight on the 37-year-old Hajdini, who has been working with JPMorgan for 15 years.

In Short

• Lorna Hajdini accused by ex-junior of sex abuse, racial harassment
• Complainant has been identified as Chirayu Rana, a South Asian
• Both JPMorgan and Hajdini have denied the allegations

Lorna Hajdini, a senior JPMorgan executive, is at the centre of a high-profile lawsuit filed in New York after a former male employee accused her of using him as her "sex slave", coercion, and racial harassment. However, the 37-year-old has denied all the allegations in the case, which was filed earlier this week under the pseudonym 'John Doe'. According to the New York Post, the complainant has been identified as Chirayu Rana, a South Asian.

The lawsuit, which has now been retracted for corrections, is replete with sensational allegations against Hajdini. The former employee, who is now working with investment firm Bregal Sagemount, alleged that Hajdini drugged him with substances such as Rohypnol and Viagra and forced him into sexual encounters. The complainant also alleged that she threatened his bonus if he didn't accede to her demands.

JPMorgan, which was also made a party in the lawsuit, stated that its internal review found no merit to the allegations.

Nevertheless, the alleged corporate sex scandal has sharpened focus on Hajdini, who has been working with JPMorgan Chase for 15 years. Amid the controversy, Hajdini deleted her LinkedIn account. Her Instagram account was also not accessible. Users on social media claimed her account was set to private.

WHO IS LORNA HAJDINI?

As per available professional records, Hajdini spent 15 years at JPMorgan. She is currently the executive director of the bank's leveraged finance division. As per a report in The Sun, her job involves major corporate deals and big-ticket financing.

At her level, the compensation is likely to be above $200,000 annually (around Rs 1.67 crore). Add to this bonuses and stock-based incentives.

The 37-year-old joined JPMorgan as an analyst in 2011. She gradually rose through the ranks before becoming an executive around 10 years later in 2021.

While there is little public information available on her, Hajdini built her career in the finance sector and has previously worked as an advisor on private equity, technology, and retail clients.

She has an impressive educational background. Hajdini graduated in finance and statistics from New York University's Stern School of Business. However, what shaped her executive career is her education at Harvard Business School.

Yes, her credentials are impressive. It is why she has been retained by JPMorgan for over a decade. From 2011 to April 2026, she had a spotless run. No controversies or any corruption allegations.

KEY GAPS IN LAWSUIT

It changed on April 26 with the bombshell allegations by her former junior. There are conflicting reports about his origins. While some reports said he was of Indian origin, another section claimed he was of Nepalese descent.

Chirayu Rana, the alleged complainant, claimed the abuse started in 2024. According to the New York Post, he filed an internal grievance in 2025. However, before it, he tried to negotiate a multi-million-pound settlement to exit the firm.

Several gaps have also been found in the claims in the lawsuit. Rana claimed Hajdini controlled his bonuses. However, The Post revealed that he, in fact, did not report to Hajdini. While both worked in the leveraged finance team, they reported to different managers. It challenges a key claim in the lawsuit.

It remains to be seen how the latest corporate saga plays out in the coming weeks.

- Ends