A former JPMorgan Chase banker has been accused of misleading the bank about his father’s death to secure nearly three months of paid leave, which he allegedly used to build a lawsuit against his employer and a female colleague. The banker, Chirayu Rana, who is 35, claimed in mid-December 2024 that his father, Chaitanya, had passed away, prompting him to take time off to be with family, using a combination of bereavement and paid leave.
However, it turns out that Chaitanya Rana is still very much alive. When reached by the newspaper, he expressed confusion about the ongoing legal matter, stating, “I don’t know anything about it. He didn’t talk to us about anything. He is my son. He is a good man.”
The allegations against 37-year-old Lorna Hadjidini, which the Post has reported extensively, include serious claims about drugging and coercing sexual acts. It’s notable that Rana, who has since lost his job, had been working remotely after he initially reported that his father was unwell in the fall of 2024.
He used his vacation benefits between early March and late May, coinciding with when the lawsuit was first put together. One source noted that it seemed like he was trying to “game the system” alongside a document from attorney Greg Chiarello alleging that Rana’s mother was also ill.
On April 28, Rana filed his complaint in New York County Supreme Court under the pseudonym “John Doe,” making alarming accusations against Hadjidini. However, recent revelations show that the two never reported to each other during Rana’s time at JPMorgan, and they fell under different management.
An internal investigational report from JPMorgan found no evidence to support Rana’s claims and noted that he refused to cooperate during the inquiry. Following news coverage of the charges, Rana’s case was removed from proceedings after court officials sought procedural amendments.
Hadjidini’s legal team firmly denied the accusations, asserting that she has never engaged in any inappropriate behavior. Additionally, it was noted that Rana had recently left the private equity firm Bregal Sagemount just a few weeks before he filed the lawsuit. Screenshots circulating online suggest that Rana had been consulting a legal chatbot in July 2024, discussing similar allegations but directing them at “Morgan Stanley.”
An interesting bit about Rana: he’s a Rutgers University graduate and an ex-college basketball player. His background includes roles at several financial institutions. Additionally, there were reports that he had a brief stint at MidCap Financial but was let go after six months due to performance-related issues.
On the other hand, Hadjidini has dedicated 15 years to JPMorgan and balances her career with efforts to become a sommelier and volunteer work with organizations aiding low-income students. Colleagues have described her as “a consummate performer.”
