JPMorgan Chase executive Lorna Hajdini has filed a defamation suit against former banker Chirayu Rana in New York State Supreme Court, denying allegations of sexual abuse and accusing him of fabricating 'sex slave' claims. According to reports from the New York Post, Hajdini categorically denies each allegation of unlawful conduct and claims the accusations were entirely false, malicious, and fabricated for personal enrichment. The lawsuit alleges Rana orchestrated a months-long smear campaign that severely damaged her reputation and career after his allegations surfaced publicly last month, with the countersuit stating Hajdini seeks to vindicate her name and hold Rana accountable for his depraved conduct. Her lawyers called Rana's initial complaint 'the culmination of a months-long campaign to smear Ms. Hajdini in the workplace, to third parties, the press, and now this court with fabricated assertions.'
Rana had earlier sued Hajdini under the pseudonym 'John Doe', alleging the JPMorgan executive drugged him, subjected him to months of non-consensual sex acts, and used racist slurs against him. As reported by the New York Post, Hajdini's legal team disputed several aspects of Rana's allegations, including claims that she had influence over his compensation or promotion, with internal HR documents showing the two employees reported to different managing directors. The lawsuit further alleges that Rana had made eerily similar fabricated allegations of sexual misconduct against a supervisor at a prior place of employment, and attempted to destroy her reputation for leverage to extort millions of dollars from both Hajdini and JPMorgan. Rana had initially sought a payout 'north of $20 million' before leaving the bank, but refused JPMorgan's settlement offer of $1 million before filing his lawsuit. Rana's lawyer, Daniel Kaiser, noted that if the allegations were 'fabricated' as per JPMorgan Chase, then it wouldn't have offered the money, pointing out that in his 30-plus year career as an employment litigator, he has never had an employer defendant make such a substantial offer if they truly believed the allegations to be a 'complete fabrication'.
The Wall Street Journal has reported that JPMorgan Chase offered Rana a $1 million settlement to drop the case, which he rejected before taking his allegations public. A JPMorgan spokesperson told the New York Post that the bank fully supports Hajdini's right to defend herself and protect her reputation, stating they don't believe the allegations against her or the firm have merit. According to reports, JPMorgan's internal investigation found zero evidence supporting Rana's claims, with the bank noting that Rana himself refused to participate or provide supporting evidence while numerous employees cooperated. The controversy intensified after the New York Post reported that Rana had falsely informed JPMorgan that his father had died in order to obtain bereavement leave, with his father later found alive at his Virginia residence. Hajdini's lawyers noted that Rana was 'peddling his lies' that she was a racist, sexual predator, aiming to destroy her reputation for leverage to extort millions from her and JPMorgan.
Some of Rana's allegations faced particular scrutiny during JPMorgan's internal investigation. According to reports, Rana had claimed that Hajdini threatened to reduce his bonus unless he agreed to sexual acts, but internal HR documents reviewed by the publication showed that Hajdini had no authority over his compensation or promotion because the two employees reported to different managing directors. This internal evidence further supports Hajdini's defense that the allegations were fabricated for leverage purposes. The filing also accuses Rana of attempting to 'destroy her reputation for leverage to extort millions of dollars' from her and the bank, with Hajdini's attorneys arguing that Rana carried out a 'months-long campaign' to spread what they described as false claims in the workplace, to third parties, and in the media.
