Defamation Lawsuit Filed by JPMorgan Executive
Lorna Hadjidini, an executive at JPMorgan Chase & Co., has initiated a defamation lawsuit against former banker Chirayu Rana, claiming she accused him of treating her like a “sex slave” and of abuse.
Hadjidini lodged her complaint in New York State Supreme Court on Tuesday morning.
The lawsuit alleges that the 35-year-old Rana fabricated the death of her father to take a leave of absence from work, launching a months-long campaign of false accusations that damaged her reputation and turned her life into a sensational story on social media, a phenomenon that first emerged last month.
In response, Hadjidini’s counterclaim emphasizes that “Mr. Hadjidini categorically and unequivocally denies any and all allegations of misconduct.”
The claim describes the allegations as “completely false, malicious and fabricated,” suggesting they were invented for personal gain at the expense of those involved.
Moreover, Hadjidini’s legal team has accused Rana of spreading lies portraying her as a racist and sexual predator, asserting that his intent is to tarnish her reputation as a means to extort millions from her and the bank.
The filings also bring to light allegations that Rana had engaged in similar sexual harassment incidents at a previous job, a claim that remains unverified.
The court documents reveal that “the plaintiff has constructed a disturbingly similar baseless claim of sexual misconduct against a supervisor at a former employer.”
Hadjidini seeks to clear her name, heal the significant harm inflicted upon her, and hold the plaintiffs accountable for their alleged wrongful actions.
Her lawyer described Rana’s original complaint as the peak of a long-planned effort to defame Hadjidini through fabricated claims that reached workplaces, the media, and now the legal system.
A spokesperson from JPMorgan expressed full support for Lorna, asserting her right to defend herself and her reputation. The bank reiterated their disbelief in the allegations directed at her or the institution itself.
This legal action follows just a few weeks after Rana filed suit against Hadjidini in New York under the pseudonym “John Doe,” commonly used by survivors of sexual assault, igniting a significant scandal on Wall Street.
Rana accused Hadjidini of drugging him and engaging in non-consensual acts over several months, along with using racial slurs. He initially sought over $20 million but reportedly rejected JPMorgan’s $1 million settlement offer before proceeding with his lawsuit.
JPMorgan’s internal investigation found no supporting evidence for Rana’s claims, with the bank noting that while many employees cooperated, Rana himself declined to engage or provide evidence.
One of Rana’s allegations stated that Hadjidini threatened to decrease his bonus unless he complied with sexual demands.
However, internal documents suggest that Hadjidini, a respected executive at JPMorgan, had no influence over promotions or bonuses.
Another aspect of Rana’s accusations, which left many in disbelief, detailed an incident he described involving Hadjidini that raised eyebrows.
Still, it’s worth noting that the identity of the woman Rana previously dated during his stint at JPMorgan has been confirmed, although their current relationship status is unclear.
Hadjidini’s lawyer firmly rejected the allegations, asserting that she never acted inappropriately with Rana and wasn’t present at some of the alleged incident sites.
Adding to the complexity, a report unveiled that Rana had claimed his father had died to collect bereavement pay, but in reality, Chaitanya Rana was confirmed to be alive in Virginia, stating his son is “a good kid.”
Rana’s career trajectory appears to have unraveled since the lawsuit gained attention on Wall Street.
He was released from an investment firm shortly before filing charges against Hadjidini, although a company representative confirmed only that he was no longer employed there.
Rana’s work history includes brief periods at various prestigious firms, culminating in his role with JPMorgan’s Leveraged Finance team in 2024.
Meanwhile, Hadjidini, a long-serving JPMorgan employee and NYU Stern School of Business graduate, has continued her professional duties and is pursuing additional studies in her free time, alongside volunteering with a nonprofit organization.
Requests for comment were made to Rana’s attorney, Daniel J. Kaiser, but no response has been received.
