A former JPMorgan employee has brought serious allegations against a senior executive in a lawsuit filed in New York this week, claims that both the bank and the executive have strongly denied following an internal investigation that found no supporting evidence.
The executive, Lorna Hajdini, an executive director on JPMorgan's leveraged finance team, has categorically rejected the accusations. Through her lawyers, Hajdini said she has never engaged in any inappropriate behavior and has never visited the location where the alleged incident was said to have occurred.
Her legal team issued the denial in comments to The New York Post, responding to allegations made in a lawsuit filed on Monday under the pseudonym “John Doe” in New York County Supreme Court.
The suit accuses Hajdini, 37, of subjecting the plaintiff to abuse while they were colleagues at the bank. Among the allegations are claims that she drugged him with substances including Rohypnol and Viagra and threatened his bonus if he did not comply with her demands. The Daily Mail first reported on the lawsuit, citing information from a court filing that has since been withdrawn for corrections.
JPMorgan has also rejected the claims. A bank spokesperson said a comprehensive internal review conducted by its human resources department and in-house legal team found no evidence to substantiate the allegations. According to the spokesperson, the investigation examined team phone records and emails, and several employees cooperated. The complainant, however, declined to participate and refused to provide key information that the bank said would have been necessary to support the claims.
Sources cited by The New York Post said the complainant had previously filed an internal grievance in May 2025, alleging race- and gender-based harassment as well as an abuse of power, before seeking to negotiate a multi‑million‑pound settlement to leave the firm. The lawsuit names JPMorgan Chase as a defendant, accusing the bank of retaliation and of failing to properly investigate the matter.
According to the report, the complainant did not report to Hajdini. Both worked on the leveraged finance team but under separate reporting structures. Sources said Hajdini reported to managing director Brandon Graffeo, while the complainant was supervised by another managing director, Jon Wolter. As a result, Hajdini did not have authority over the complainant's annual bonus, a detail that challenges a central allegation in the lawsuit.
A colleague described the complainant as socially awkward but capable of meeting job expectations. Associates of Hajdini, who remains employed at JPMorgan, described her as a top performer, with one person familiar with the situation saying the allegations have unfairly harmed her reputation.
Hajdini is a graduate of NYU's Stern School of Business and is also involved with Minds Matter, a non-profit organisation that supports underprivileged students pursuing higher education, according to people familiar with her background.
The complainant did not respond to multiple requests for comment. His professional history includes roles at Houlihan Lokey, Credit Suisse, TCG Capital Markets, Morgan Stanley and The Carlyle Group before joining JPMorgan. He is currently affiliated with Bregal Sagemount, a New York-based investment firm focused on software, digital infrastructure, healthcare IT and financial services.
No trial date has been scheduled. The case remains reportable, as U.S. court filings are subject to absolute privilege, which allows media organisations to cover allegations accurately and in good faith without defamation liability.
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