Former JP Morgan Chase banker Chirayu Rana is standing pat on hisallegations against JPMC executive director Lorna Hajdini. The 35-year-old is accusing Hajdini of sexually and racially abusing him and is seeking $11.7 million (£8.6 million) to settle the case.
Through her lawyers, Hajdini has denied the allegations and says Rana's claims are untrue.
'Lorna categorically denies the allegations. She never engaged in any inappropriate conduct with this individual of any kind and has never even been to the location where the alleged sexual assault supposedly took place,' Hajdini's lawyers stated viaNew York Post.
In an effort to prevent the issue from escalating, JPMC reportedly tried to settle with Rana for $1 million (£735,350), theThe Wall Street Journalreported. The 35-year-old declined the offer, reportedly equivalent to two years of his earnings from JP Morgan Chase.
'We did try to reach an agreement to avoid the time and expense of litigation and to support an employee who was being threatened with the very reputational harm now unfolding,' JPMC said in an official statement viaDaily Mail. 'We continue to believe these allegations have no merit and new information raised as a result of the public filing only reinforces that conclusion.'
In the lawsuit,Rana allegedthat the abuse began in spring 2024, when they started working together. The 35-year-old claims that on one occasion, Hajdini dropped her pen near Rana and rubbed his leg, squeezing his calf as she picked up the pen.
'Oh, you did play basketball in college? I love basketball players, they get me so wet,' the JPMC executive director allegedly said, according to the lawsuit.
The alleged advances by Hajdini did not stop there. She reportedly invited Rana out for drinks, and when the 35-year-old refused, Hajdini issued threats.
'If you don't f**k me soon, I'm going to ruin you, never forget, I f**king own you,' the JPMC official allegedly said.
For their part, JPMC did the necessary internal investigation on the Rana-Hajdini case. After reviewing emails, phone records and witness statements, the probe found no evidence of wrongdoing,NY Postreported.
Source: International Business Times UK
