JP Morgan clears air over Chirayu Rana’s sexual harassment claims against top level executive Lorna Hajdini amid row; all you need to know

As Lorna Hajdini, an executive director at JPMorgan, came under scrutiny over sexual harassment allegations made by the bank’s former employee Chirayu Rana, the banking giant has responded, strongly denying the claims. Rana, 35, currently a principal at investment firm Bregal Sagemount, reportedly filed the bombshell lawsuit against the 37-year-old executive.

In the suit filed by Rana, under the pseudonym John Doe, he accused Hajdini of subjecting him to sexual abuse. According to the suit, Rana alleged that Hajdini drugged him with Rohypnol and Viagra and threatened to reduce his bonus if he did not comply, effectively turning him into what he described as a “sex slave,” The New York Post reported.

JP Morgan issues statement

A JP Morgan spokesperson declined to comment on Doe’s identity. He said that a thorough internal probe by the bank’s HR department and in-house lawyers, which included a review of team phone records and emails, found no evidence to support them.

“Following an investigation, we don’t believe there’s any merit to these claims,” the spokesperson said, as quoted by The Daily Mail. “While numerous employees cooperated with the investigation, the complainant refused to participate and has declined to provide facts that would be central to support his allegations.”

The NY Post learned that Rana did not report to Hajdini. The two were simply colleagues on the leveraged finance team, which works on large corporate acquisitions, mergers, and buyouts.

How did Lorna Hajdini and Chirayu Rana’s colleagues react?

One colleague said that Rana was a former basketball player and Rutgers graduate. He was “socially awkward” but someone who “met the requirements” to remain at the bank, according to The Post.

Meanwhile, friends of Hajdini, who is still working at JPMorgan, said she is viewed internally as “a top performer.” “He has tarnished her with a complete fabrication,” an ally, who was not authorized to speak to the media, was quoted as saying by the news outlet.

Also Read: Is Lorna Hajdini married? What we know about JP Morgan executive's love life amid row over Chirayu Rana’s bombshell sexual harassment allegations against her