Lorna Hajdini, a 37-year-old executive director in JPMorgan’s New York leveraged finance team, faces serious allegations of drugging and sexually abusing a junior employee. The accusations have sparked significant concerns about workplace conduct and power dynamics within the financial sector.
The allegations stem from a lawsuit filed by John Doe, who claims that Hajdini drugged him with a date rape drug shortly after he joined JPMorgan as a Senior VP/Director in March 2024. This troubling situation escalated when Doe alleged that Hajdini coerced him into non-consensual sex acts while threatening his career if he rejected her advances.
That context matters because it highlights the potential for abuse of power in corporate environments. The lawsuit also includes claims of racial abuse, with Doe stating that Hajdini made racially charged comments towards him during their interactions.
In May 2025, Doe filed a formal complaint with JPMorgan’s HR team, detailing his experiences of harassment and discrimination. Yet, despite these serious claims, JPMorgan Chase conducted an investigation and publicly stated that they found no merit to the allegations. A spokesperson for the bank said, “Following our investigation, we don’t believe there’s any merit to these claims.”
Hajdini’s legal team has categorically denied all allegations. They assert that their client did not engage in any misconduct and describe the claims as baseless. In an alarming twist, reports indicate that she deleted or deactivated her LinkedIn profile amid the unfolding controversy.
The timeline of events is crucial to understanding the gravity of this case:
- March 2024: John Doe joins JPMorgan as Senior VP/Director.
- April 2024: Alleged abuse begins shortly after Hajdini’s appointment.
- May 2025: Doe files a written complaint to HR detailing harassment and discrimination.
- April 27, 2026: Lawsuit filed in New York Supreme Court.
This situation echoes previous cases within the industry—such as that of Damilare Ajao—where male employees faced sexual harassment from female superiors. Such incidents raise questions about how organizations handle allegations of sexual misconduct and whether they adequately protect employees from potential abuses of power.
As this case unfolds, many are left wondering how it will impact workplace policies at JPMorgan and beyond. The next steps in this legal battle are uncertain, but the implications for corporate culture could be profound.