A JPMorgan Chase executive director, Lorna Hajdini, has filed a counterclaim accusing a former subordinate of defamation, alleging he orchestrated a months-long campaign of false accusations that destroyed her career and reputation. The counterclaim was filed in New York State Supreme Court on Tuesday, responding to a lawsuit by Chirayu Rana, 35, who accused Hajdini of sexual harassment and assault.
Hajdini, 37, who works in the bank's Leveraged Finance division, categorically denies all allegations of unlawful conduct, including sexual harassment, sexual assault, drugging, blackmail, and racial discrimination. Her lawyers assert that Rana's claims are 'entirely false, malicious and fabricated' and were concocted for personal enrichment at her expense and that of the bank.
The counterclaim accuses Rana of 'peddling his lies that Ms Hajdini was a racist, sexual predator' to destroy her reputation and extort millions of dollars from her and JPMorgan. It describes his initial complaint as the culmination of a smear campaign, noting that Rana made 'eerily similar' sexual harassment claims against an executive at another job, though details were redacted.
According to the Wall Street Journal, Rana rejected a $1 million settlement offer from JPMorgan, equivalent to two years of his earnings, instead demanding $11.7 million. Hajdini's counterclaim asserts she never served as Rana's supervisor and that he never reported any misconduct until May 2025, nearly 12 months after the alleged harassment began.
The countersuit also accuses Rana of lying about his father's death to collect bereavement leave while employed at JPMorgan. It details the severe impact on Hajdini's life, including harassment of her family, with 'countless jokes, memes and AI-generated images and videos of a persistently vile, degrading and sexual nature.' She was also asked to step back from volunteer work with an educational charity, reportedly Minds Matter, which helps underprivileged teenagers attend university.
Hajdini seeks recovery of mental health treatment costs, attorney fees, private transportation to avoid media scrutiny, and other damages to be determined at trial. JPMorgan Chase supports her counterclaim, stating they believe the allegations against her and the firm lack merit. An internal investigation found no evidence to support Rana's claims, and he refused to participate.
Rana's lawsuit alleges Hajdini began harassing him in May 2024, with incidents including dropping a pen to rub his leg, making obscene remarks, and threatening his career if he did not comply. He claims she propositioned him for oral sex and groped him at a staff social event. Rana also sues JPMorgan for defamation, alleging the bank disparaged him to other finance companies.
Two witnesses filed affidavits supporting Rana's claims, including one who said Hajdini appeared naked at an apartment and asked to 'join them.' The Manhattan District Attorney's Office investigated but closed the case due to lack of evidence. An online post from about 10 months ago, allegedly by Rana, sought advice on filing a lawsuit against a male boss with similar allegations, raising questions about the credibility of his claims.
