JPMorgan Seeks Dismissal of Harassment Lawsuit, Alleges Ex-Banker Fabricated Evidence

JPMorgan Chase & Co. has filed a motion to dismiss a high-profile sexual harassment lawsuit brought by a former investment banker, Chirayu Rana, accusing him of orchestrating a scheme to fabricate evidence. In a Monday night filing in Manhattan federal court, the bank alleged that Rana persuaded his sister and a friend to perjure themselves to support his case.

Bank Alleges Witness Tampering

According to the court filing, JPMorgan is seeking dismissal of the case, calling it the "most serious sanction available" due to what it described as Rana's bad faith and sustained misconduct. The bank claims Rana enlisted his sister, Chandani Rana, and a friend, Allan Flott, to provide false sworn testimony that they had firsthand knowledge of alleged misconduct by JPMorgan executive Lorna Hajdini.

Hajdini, a co-defendant in the case, has also requested the lawsuit be dismissed and has countersued Rana for defamation. She has consistently denied Rana's initial allegations that she coerced him into a sexual relationship to advance his career.

Key Testimony Recanted

The defendants' motion follows a significant development in which Rana's sister recanted her testimony. In a statement on October 22, Chandani Rana withdrew her previous declaration, which had included a claim that she saw Hajdini kiss her brother's neck and say something like, "I own you Brownie."

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In her recantation, Chandani Rana stated that Hajdini had never been to her apartment and that she had never witnessed any inappropriate or harassing conduct by Hajdini toward her brother. JPMorgan's filing asserts that Flott, the friend, has not recanted but was similarly "led astray" by Chirayu Rana. The situation has also led to turmoil within Rana's legal representation, with multiple lawyers recently filing to withdraw from the case, citing "irreconcilable differences" and new information that changed their understanding of the matter.

Background of the Lawsuit

Rana's original lawsuit, filed in April, garnered significant attention for its graphic allegations against Hajdini and claims of a toxic work environment. Rana, who is of Nepalese descent, also accused JPMorgan of racism, alleging that colleagues on his otherwise all-white leveraged finance team referred to him as "brown boy." He resigned from the bank last October after approximately 18 months of employment.

JPMorgan and Hajdini are also asking the court to order Rana to cover their legal fees. "No order can fully restore Ms. Hajdini’s reputation or undo what she has suffered," Hajdini’s lawyer, Melissa Rodriguez, said in a court filing. "But the court can put an end to this fraudulent litigation... and put an end to Ms. Hajdini’s ongoing nightmare."