JPMorgan Executive Lorna Hajdini Accused of Sexual Harassment in Lawsuit

A senior executive at JPMorgan Chase is facing serious allegations of sexual harassment and abuse after a lawsuit was filed by a junior employee, raising concerns about workplace conduct and power dynamics within the financial giant.

The lawsuit, filed in New York by an anonymous plaintiff identified as “John Doe,” accuses Lorna Hajdini of engaging in repeated non-consensual sexual acts and exploiting her senior position to coerce a subordinate employee. According to the complaint, the alleged incidents began in early 2024 and continued over several months, during which the plaintiff claims he was subjected to inappropriate advances and pressure.

The complainant alleges that Hajdini used her authority within the organisation to intimidate him into compliance, warning that rejecting her advances could have negative consequences for his career. The lawsuit further claims that the executive created a hostile work environment by engaging in threatening behaviour and making inappropriate remarks, including alleged racial comments.

Among the most serious accusations are claims that Hajdini drugged the employee on multiple occasions and subjected him to acts without his consent. The plaintiff states that he felt compelled to comply due to fear of retaliation and professional harm, describing the experience as deeply distressing and humiliating.

In response to the allegations, JPMorgan Chase has denied any wrongdoing. The company stated that it conducted an internal investigation into the matter and found no evidence to substantiate the claims made in the lawsuit. A spokesperson reiterated that the organisation maintains strict policies against workplace harassment and takes such accusations seriously, but believes the case lacks merit.

Hajdini, who has been associated with the bank since 2011, currently holds the position of Executive Director in its leveraged finance division. She is an alumna of New York University Stern School of Business and has also attended executive programmes at Harvard Business School.

The case has drawn attention to issues surrounding workplace misconduct, particularly in hierarchical corporate environments where power imbalances may influence employee behaviour. It has also reignited discussions about how large organisations handle allegations against senior officials and the effectiveness of internal grievance mechanisms.

As the legal proceedings continue, the allegations remain unproven in court. The outcome of the case is likely to be closely watched, as it may have broader implications for corporate accountability and employee protections in major global financial institutions.