Judge Orders Anonymous Accuser to Reveal Identity in High-Profile JPMorgan Sex-Harassment Case

A New York judge has ordered the anonymous plaintiff previously identified in court papers as "John Doe" to refile a sensational sexual-harassment and assault lawsuit under his real name, a significant procedural development in a case that has drawn widespread media attention.

At a hearing on May 26, New York Supreme Court Judge Dakota D. Ramseur directed that the plaintiff, identified in press reports as Chirayu Rana, must proceed under his own name, court filings show. Rana originally filed the complaint earlier this month alleging that JPMorgan executive director Lorna Hajdini engaged in a pattern of coercion and graphic sexual harassment beginning after she joined his team in April 2024.

Allegations and Supporting Evidence

Rana's complaint — initially filed under the pseudonym "John Doe" — accuses Hajdini of drugging him, forcing him into sex without his consent, touching him without consent, making sexually explicit and racially derogatory remarks, and threatening professional consequences if he did not comply. Rana described himself in filings as a person of color of Asian descent.

Alongside the complaint, Rana submitted exhibits that he said support his claims, including two witness statements. One witness said they saw Hajdini with the plaintiff on two occasions and alleged she behaved inappropriately, even propositioning the witness to "join her" in the bedroom. Another witness said Rana privately told them in 2024 that Hajdini "was harassing him and trying to blackmail him" and that she was "making his life hell."

Lorna HajdiniCredit: LinkedIn

“Plaintiff proceeds anonymously in this litigation not only to protect himself, but also his family, all of whom have been threatened with harm should Plaintiff proceed with this lawsuit,” Rana's complaint said.

Response From Hajdini And Legal Pushback

Hajdini has strongly denied the allegations and has filed a countersuit accusing Rana of defamation and pursuing a "smear" campaign for personal gain. In her formal response, her attorneys called the claims "entirely false, malicious, and fabricated," and stated she never engaged in sexual conduct with the plaintiff nor visited the apartment where the alleged assault was said to have occurred.

Her lawyers opposed Rana's request to remain anonymous, arguing that proceeding under a pseudonym would cause substantial prejudice to Hajdini by impairing her ability to identify witnesses, gather evidence and defend herself in the public forum where the allegations were made. They also noted media coverage identifying Rana and his on-the-record interview with The Juggernaut.

Other Developments

Media reports, including coverage by The Wall Street Journal, cited sources saying JPMorgan offered Rana a $1 million settlement in March before the lawsuit was filed; a JPMorgan spokesperson has declined to discuss that reporting but said there were negotiations "to support an employee who was being threatened with the very reputational harm now unfolding." The bank also said a prior internal probe found the harassment allegations against Hajdini to have "no merit."

Rana’s attorney, Daniel Kaiser, filed papers indicating he intends to withdraw as counsel; the filing said Rana will represent himself until new counsel is retained. At the May 26 hearing, however, Judge Ramseur said Kaiser must continue representing Rana until successor counsel is secured. A follow-up hearing is scheduled for June 23.

Representatives for Rana and Hajdini, and spokespeople for JPMorgan, did not provide comments for this report.