JPMorgan Executive Renews Defamation Countersuit Against Sexual Assault Accuser

A JPMorgan Chase investment banker has renewed a defamation countersuit against a former colleague who accused her of sexual harassment, arguing in a court filing that his claims are a "deliberate and sustained scheme" to ruin her reputation and secure a large financial settlement.

Details of the Countersuit

In a Monday night filing in Manhattan federal court, JPMorgan Executive Director Lorna Hajdini asserted that the accusations made by Chirayu Rana are "false." The filing claims Rana's allegations cast her as a racist sexual predator, destroying her life and causing severe anxiety and fear.

Hajdini is seeking unspecified damages for defamation and intentional infliction of emotional distress. In response, Rana’s lawyer, Jon Norinsberg, said in a Tuesday email, "We categorically reject Ms. Hajdini’s allegations and intend to vigorously defend against her counterclaims. We remain confident in the strength of Mr. Rana’s claims and look forward to proving them in court."

Background of the Allegations

The legal dispute originates from a lawsuit by Rana, which alleges Hajdini coerced him into a sexual relationship in exchange for career advancement. Rana, who resigned in October 2025 after 18 months at the bank, also expanded his claims against JPMorgan Chase itself.

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His complaint accuses the bank of fostering a culture of racism and sexual coercion within his leveraged finance team. Specific allegations cited in court documents include:

• Colleagues allegedly referring to Rana, who is of Nepalese descent, as "brown boy."
• Team members reportedly expressing a preference for employees who "look like Jamie Dimon," the bank’s chief executive.
• Receiving a threatening text message about calling U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on his family.

JPMorgan's Position

In a separate court filing on Monday, JPMorgan denied what it termed Rana’s "most explosive claims," including that it "reduced him to a racial caricature" and that Hajdini blackmailed him into repeated sexual assaults. High-profile legal disputes involving employee conduct can present reputational risks for financial institutions, often drawing scrutiny from investors and regulators regarding corporate culture and internal controls.