The legal battle between an Indian-origin financier and JPMorgan Chase (JPMC) has intensified as the plaintiff—filing under the pseudonym “John Doe”—submitted new claims in the Manhattan Supreme Court. The lawsuit accuses JPMC executive Lorna Hajdini of a harrowing pattern of sexual assault, drugging, and racial abuse, though the bank has dismissed the entire narrative as “fabricated.”
The Allegations: Abuse and Coercion
The 35-year-old accuser alleges that the harassment began almost immediately after he started working with Hajdini in 2024.
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Physical and Verbal Abuse: The complaint details instances of non-consensual touching and explicit threats, including an alleged warning: “If you don’t fk me soon, I’m going to ruin you… I fking own you.”
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Sexual Assault: Doe claims Hajdini drugged him on multiple occasions and forced him into sexual acts at his apartment while racially insulting his wife and mocking him as he cried.
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Racial and Professional Bullying: The lawsuit alleges Hajdini used racial slurs related to his Nepalese background and told him he needed to “please” her to secure a promotion to executive director.
The New Evidence
On May 11, the accuser returned to court with new exhibits intended to bolster his claims:
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Witness Statements: Anonymous witnesses claim to have seen Hajdini being “handsy” with Doe at a concert and kissing his neck on a public street in 2024.
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“Threesome” Invitation: One friend allegedly provided a statement claiming they were invited by Hajdini for a sexual encounter involving the plaintiff.
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Medical Impact: Doe filed a first-person affidavit stating he is suffering from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) due to the encounters.
JPMC and Hajdini’s Defense
Both the bank and the executive have issued firm denials, painting the plaintiff as a disgruntled employee seeking a payday.
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Fabrication Claims: Hajdini’s lawyers state she has never engaged in inappropriate conduct and was never at the location where the alleged assault occurred.
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Internal Investigation: JPMC claims an investigation found no merit to the claims, noting that while other employees cooperated, the accuser refused to provide central facts.
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Credibility Issues: Reports emerged that Doe lied to the bank about his father’s death to collect three months of paid leave—time he allegedly used to prepare the lawsuit. His father was later found to be alive and well in Virginia.
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The “Legal Chatbot” Factor: Investigation revealed Doe sought advice from a legal chatbot (AskALawyerOnCall.com) in July 2024. Curiously, in those interactions, he referred to the perpetrator as “he,” contradicting his current filing against a female executive.
Financial and Legal Stakes
The case has involved significant figures and high-stakes settlement rumors:
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Settlement Demands: Doe reportedly sought an “8-digit” payout—upwards of $20 million—before filing the suit.
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JPMC Offer: The Wall Street Journal reported that the bank offered $1 million last month to settle the matter, which was apparently rejected.
John Doe is currently seeking damages for lost earnings, reputational harm, and emotional distress, alongside a demand for changes to the bank’s internal reporting practices.
Status: The case continues to move through the Manhattan Supreme Court after being briefly withdrawn and refiled with new evidence this week.
