JPMorgan executive sued over sexual harassment allegations, bank denies claims after internal probe

A lawsuit filed in the New York Supreme Court against JPMorgan Chase executive Lorna Hajdini has triggered intense scrutiny, with allegations ranging from sexual harassment and workplace abuse to racial misconduct.

The complaint was brought by a man identified as John Doe — a pseudonym commonly used in the US legal system to protect a plaintiff’s identity — who alleges Hajdini targeted him shortly after he joined the bank as a senior vice president/director in March 2024. The allegations were first reported by the Daily Mail.

According to the lawsuit, the complainant accuses Hajdini, 37, of making repeated unwanted sexual advances, issuing explicit threats tied to his career progression, and directing racially offensive remarks at him. The filing claims she used her senior position to intimidate him and influence his professional standing within the firm.

JPMorgan has strongly denied the allegations, saying an internal investigation found no basis for the claims. The bank said the complainant declined to cooperate with investigators or provide evidence to support his accusations.

Alleged pattern of harassment

The lawsuit claims the alleged misconduct began soon after Doe joined the firm and started working closely with Hajdini.

The complaint alleges she made derogatory remarks about his wife and forcibly initiated sexual contact despite his resistance. It further claims that when he protested and became visibly distressed, she dismissed his objections and mocked him.

Claims of career threats

A key allegation in the lawsuit is that Hajdini used her influence within JPMorgan to pressure the complainant into complying with her advances.

At one work-related social event, she allegedly made racially charged remarks while engaging in unwanted physical contact.

The complaint also alleges that during a September 2024 encounter, Hajdini berated Doe for failing to generate enough business to support her push for promotion to Managing Director, allegedly threatening to derail his own advancement if he rejected her.

Racially offensive remarks alleged

Alongside claims of sexual misconduct, Doe alleges he was subjected to repeated racially demeaning comments, including references to his ethnicity and skin colour.

The lawsuit describes these remarks as humiliating and part of a broader pattern of coercive behaviour.

Explicit propositions alleged

The complaint further alleges Hajdini repeatedly propositioned him, including at his apartment and within the workplace, while tying his future at the bank to compliance with her demands.

Doe claims she explicitly threatened to ruin his career if he continued to reject her advances.

JPMorgan rejects allegations

Responding to the lawsuit, JPMorgan said its internal review found no merit to the claims.

“Following an investigation, we don’t believe there’s any merit to these claims,” a bank representative said, adding that while multiple employees participated in the inquiry, the complainant refused to cooperate or provide supporting information.

As the allegations gained traction online, Hajdini reportedly deactivated or deleted her LinkedIn profile, removing public details about her professional background.