A JPMorgan Chase investment banker has filed a countersuit against her former colleague, accusing him of fabricating sexual assault allegations designed to destroy her reputation and extract millions of dollars from her and the bank.
Lorna Hajdini filed the counterclaim Tuesday night in New York state court in Manhattan, directly challenging the allegations brought by Chirayu Rana, a vice-president in leveraged finance at the bank. Rana's original complaint, filed in April, accused Hajdini of coercing him into non-consensual sexual activity over several months and using racial slurs to threaten his career.
Hajdini's legal team argues that Rana's allegations are entirely false and crafted specifically to attract media attention. "Unfortunately, it has succeeded despite its falsity," the countersuit states. The filing contends that Rana's goal was to maximize press coverage, cause Hajdini harm, and secure a financial settlement from both her personally and from JPMorgan.
The countersuit details the personal toll of the public accusations. Hajdini claims she has "been mocked, ridiculed, and harassed around the clock," becoming the target of degrading jokes and internet memes. She is seeking unspecified damages for defamation, emotional distress, and related claims.
Hajdini denies all of Rana's core allegations. She states she was not his supervisor, never used racial epithets, and never threatened him. She also notes that during her tenure at JPMorgan since 2011, she has never been the subject of a discrimination or harassment complaint and holds the rank of executive director.
JPMorgan released a statement backing Hajdini. "We fully support Lorna and her right to defend herself and protect her reputation," the bank said Wednesday. "As we've said from the outset, we don't believe the allegations against her or the firm have merit." The bank remains a defendant in Rana's original lawsuit.
Rana's legal representatives did not respond to requests for comment Wednesday. The vice-president, who initially sued under a pseudonym but has since been publicly identified, was placed on administrative leave in June 2025 and remained in that status when he filed his complaint.
The case has drawn significant public attention online. Rana's allegations included graphic descriptions of alleged threats and coercion. According to reporting by the Wall Street Journal, JPMorgan attempted to settle with Rana before litigation commenced, offering him $1 million.
Author James Rodriguez: "Counterclaims in harassment cases like this one often hinge on credibility, but what's notable here is how quickly the bank moved to support its executive while the accuser remains on administrative leave. That asymmetry speaks volumes about institutional power dynamics."
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