JPMorgan sexual harassment lawsuit dismissed ahead of federal refiling

Justice Dakota Ramseur granted the dismissal at Rana’s request, requiring him to cover specific legal fees for both JPMorgan and his former colleague, Lorna Hajdini. The ruling leaves Hajdini’s ongoing defamation countersuit active in Manhattan state court. She has categorically denied the allegations, characterizing the original complaint as a malicious attempt to extort money and damage her reputation through fabricated claims of sexual coercion and racial harassment.

Rana, formerly a vice president in leveraged finance, initially alleged that Hajdini exploited her seniority to force sexual encounters, threatened his career, and used racial slurs. JPMorgan has maintained that the accusations against the firm are meritless. Following a change in legal counsel last month, Rana’s representatives signaled an intent to pivot to federal jurisdiction. They plan to introduce additional claims under federal civil rights laws and the Family and Medical Leave Act, expanding the scope of the litigation beyond the original state-level grievances.