A senior executive at JPMorgan Chase has been sued in New York by a former colleague, who is an Asian, who alleges he endured months of sexual abuse, racial harassment and workplace intimidation while working under her supervision.
The lawsuit, filed in New York County Supreme Court, names executive director Lorna Hajdini, 37, as the defendant. The complainant, identified anonymously as John Doe, is described as a married banker who worked in the leveraged finance division, The Daily Mail reported.
According to the complaint, the alleged misconduct began in spring 2024 after Doe joined the team as a senior vice president and Hajdini assumed a senior role. Doe claims she used her authority over his career progression to pressure him into repeated sexual encounters and subjected him to persistent verbal harassment.
COMPLAINANT NARRATES HORROR
Court filings state that one of the earliest incidents occurred in May 2024 when Hajdini allegedly dropped a pen beside Doe’s desk, rubbed his leg and squeezed his calf while picking it up. She allegedly remarked, “Oh, you did play basketball in college? I love basketball players. They get me so wet.”
Doe claims the advances soon intensified. He alleged Hajdini propositioned him for oral sex inside the office on two occasions, once saying, “Birthday BJ for the brown boy? My little brown boy.”
The complaint also said Hajdini also linked his career advancement to complying with her demands. During a work social event at a private members club, she allegedly told him, “You’re gonna need to earn it, my little Arab boy toy,” while repeatedly groping him under the table, The Daily Mail reported.
SURVIVOR FACED THREATS TIED TO PROMOTION PROSPECTS
Doe claimed he repeatedly rejected Hajdini’s advances but was met with threats of retaliation. After declining an invitation for drinks in May 2024, he alleges she warned him: “If you don’t f**k me soon, I’m going to ruin you… never forget, I f**king own you.”
The complaint alleged Hajdini repeatedly suggested his future at the bank depended on pleasing her sexually.
In one encounter at an apartment where Doe was staying, he claims she confronted him after learning he would be there. According to the lawsuit, she allegedly asked, “Do you want to get promoted at year end or not? Do you want a future at JPMorgan? It’s that simple. I don’t know why you’re fighting this.”
REPEATED SEXUAL ASSAULTS AND RACIAL INSULTS
Doe alleged that the harassment escalated into sexual assault. During the apartment encounter, he claimed that Hajdini removed her shirt, fondled herself and insulted his wife, allegedly saying, “I bet your little Asian, fish head, wife doesn’t have these cannons.”
The complainant claimed she forcibly removed his pants and performed oral sex on him against his will while he protested and cried, according to The Daily Mail. Hajdini responded by saying, “Stop f**king crying. You think anyone would ever believe you?”
During another alleged encounter, Doe said Hajdini ordered him to suck her toes, pushed him to the ground and sat on his face. He claims he pleaded: “I’m very uncomfortable, please, Lorna, please, I’m begging you.”
The complaint said she allegedly mocked him and made a racist comment that at least his private parts did not “taste like curry.”
SURVIVOR DRUGGED FOR SEXUAL ENCOUNTERS
Doe alleged that Hajdini admitted to drugging him with Rohypnol, or “roofies,” along with an erection-enhancing substance before having sex with him. The lawsuit also accused her of using her executive status to gain unauthorised access to his bank account to monitor his movements.
Two witnesses are cited in the complaint as corroborating portions of his account, including hearing his protests during one alleged encounter, The Daily Mail reported.
In September 2024, Doe claimed that Hajdini berated him over business performance and pressured him into another sexual encounter.
According to the complaint, she allegedly shouted, “I f**king own you! I will make you pay… Do you think you’re going to be in good standing if you do not have me in your corner.”
She allegedly added, “You really think management want some brown boy Indian-leading originations?… If you don’t f**k my brains out tonight, I’m going to sabotage your promotion.”
Fearful of retaliation, Doe alleged he was forced to comply and had another sexual encounter with her.
SURVIVOR CLAIMS RETALIATION AFTER FACING ABUSE
Doe said he began searching for jobs elsewhere in late 2024, but believed that Hajdini and other senior managers undermined his opportunities by giving negative references.
In May 2025, he submitted a written complaint to JPMorgan detailing what he described as race- and gender-based harassment and “severe sexual abuse.” He claimed that retaliation followed within days, including reprimands, loss of access to company systems and involuntary leave, per The Daily Mail.
The lawsuit also alleges he received threatening anonymous calls after filing the complaint. One caller allegedly warned, “Just wait ’till you’re back in New York, Brown boy… You better stay away – snitch.”
Another voicemail, allegedly from someone claiming to be a manager at JPMorgan, reportedly stated that he was unwelcome because of his skin colour and that “people don’t want you or your kind here.”
The complaint further alleged that another caller threatened to contact US immigration authorities regarding him and his family.
JPMORGAN REJECTS ALLEGATIONS
JPMorgan Chase has denied the allegations of the survivor and said an internal investigation found no evidence supporting Doe’s claims. A spokesperson said, “Following an investigation, we don’t believe there’s any merit to these claims.”
The bank added that multiple employees cooperated with the investigation, while the complainant allegedly declined to participate or provide supporting information.
Hajdini remains employed at the company.
Doe’s attorney, Daniel J Kaiser, described the allegations as “horrendous” and said his client has suffered professionally and emotionally. He said Doe has been diagnosed with PTSD and continues to struggle financially after allegedly being unable to secure another job.
The lawsuit seeks damages for emotional distress, lost earnings, reputational harm, punitive compensation and changes to workplace practices at the bank.
