Shareholders of Washington Mutual Inc. (WAMUQ) have asked a U.S. bankruptcy judge to let them investigate JPMorgan Chase & Co. (JPM) and its role in the failure of thrift subsidiary Washington Mutual Bank, Reuters reports, citing court documents filed Tuesday.

The shareholders' court-recognized committee wants information that could lead to potential claims against JPMorgan if the committee can show that the New York investment bank had a role in WaMu's collapse, the biggest ever for a U.S. bank.

Tuesday's filing with the federal bankruptcy court in Delaware comes four days after the bank's former parent submitted its latest reorganization plan. It includes terms of a revised proposal for settling disputes over WaMu's collapse, but leaves nothing for shareholders and calls for distribution of about $7 billion to creditors. The proposal also provides a range of liability releases.

WaMu was seized in September 2008 during a bank run at the height of the financial crisis. The Federal Deposit Insurance Corp sold WaMu immediately after it was seized to JPMorgan for $1.9 billion.

The shareholders want to pick up where Washington Mutual Inc. left off. The company was locked in a battle for documents and depositions from JPMorgan when it reached a settlement now at the heart of the company's proposed reorganization.

JPMorgan declined to comment, as did Washington Mutual, Reuters reports.

Full story at http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE64O68720100525

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