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JPMorgan Banker Sues Executive Over Sexual Assault Claims; Bank Denies Allegations

Published
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12

Why it matters

Chirayu Rana, a 35-year-old former JPMorgan investment banker, has filed a civil lawsuit against Lorna Hajdini, a senior executive director in the bank's Leveraged Finance Division, alleging sexual assault, drugging with Viagra, racial harassment, and workplace coercion. The case, initially filed anonymously in early 2025, became public in May 2026 when Rana identified himself and submitted detailed court filings. Rana is seeking over $20 million in damages after rejecting JPMorgan's $1 million settlement offer. He is represented by Daniel Kaiser, a prominent New York attorney known for representing accusers in the Jeffrey Epstein matter.

The Manhattan District Attorney's Office opened a criminal investigation in summer 2025 but closed it without pursuing charges, citing insufficient evidence. JPMorgan's internal investigation similarly found no supporting evidence for Rana's allegations. Rana obtained a PTSD diagnosis in October 2025 and sought mental health treatment in February 2026. Reporting has since revealed inconsistencies in Rana's statements, including false claims about his father's death. The scope and duration of the alleged conduct remain unclear from publicly available court documents.

Attorneys should monitor this case for its potential impact on workplace sexual assault litigation standards at major financial institutions and the evidentiary weight given to internal investigations versus external corroboration. The conflicting findings between the DA's office, JPMorgan's probe, and Rana's presented evidence—combined with documented inconsistencies in his account—will likely shape discovery disputes and credibility determinations as the case proceeds.

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