New Delhi: A JPMorgan executive, Lorna Hajdini, has been accused of subjecting her junior male employee to “non-consensual and humiliating sex acts” for months. A case filed at the New York County Supreme Court has brought to light the lurid details of a case that has sparked a worldwide debate on power dynamics in the workplace.
The 37-year-old executive Hajdini has also been accused of drugging her married Indian junior, using racial slurs and threatening his career if he refuses her advances.
The plaintiff, who goes by the pseudonym John Doe, filed the case on 27 April. In his filing, he has accused the largest bank in the US, JPMorgan Chase, of ‘enabling’ the abuse and taking retaliatory actions after his complaint, as per a report by The Daily Mail.
He has further accused the organisation of putting him on “involuntary leave”, tarnishing his reputation and failing to prevent threats against him.
And the internet has since been flooded with reactions. One such post on X by Avici reads, “The case of Lorna Hajdini revealed how Indians are prevented from reaching top management positions in the US.”
In his filing, Doe alleged repeated job threats and racially charged remarks by Hajdini. One such threat brought into question his ethnicity. “Do you think you’re going to be in good standing if you do not have me in your corner? You really think (management)… want some Brown boy Indian leading Organisations?… If you don’t f*** my brains out tonight, I’m going to sabotage your promotion.”
A spokesman for JPMC told The Daily Mail that an internal investigation found no evidence to support Doe’s accusations and that the plaintiff was not forthcoming with evidence.
“Following an investigation, we don’t believe there’s any merit to these claims. While numerous employees cooperated with the investigation, the complainant refused to participate and has declined to provide facts that would be central to support his allegations,” the spokesperson told The Daily Mail. The lawsuit is said to be retracted.
An Asian, Doe joined the company as Senior VP/Director in March 2024. The accused Hajdini was appointed as a senior to the team in the same year.
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‘I own you’
The complainant has alleged that the misconduct began soon after Hajdini joined the team. According to the complainant, in May 2024, she dropped her pen beside his desk. And while picking it up, she rubbed his leg and squeezed his calf.
It didn’t end there. She went to make a sexually explicit remark, “Oh, you did play basketball in college?… I love basketball players.”
Soon, such incidents became more frequent. Once, Hajdini invited him for drinks. But his refusal was met with threats. “If you don’t **** me soon. I am going to ruin you… never forget. I ******* own you.”
Doe has also alleged propositions for oral sex in the office. “Birthday ** for the brown boy? My little brown boy,” Hajdini has been quoted as asking the complainant.
Of all the allegations, the claims of drugging more than once have also been made. As per the filing quoted by The Daily Mail, the substances, including Rohypnol—known as Roofies—were used on multiple occasions. During one such occasion, the plaintiff cried as she performed a sexual act against his will.
The plaintiff has claimed to be diagnosed with PTSD and has said that he is struggling financially.
(Edited by Saptak Datta)