| Company: | Washington Mutual, Inc. |
| Ticker Symbol: | NYSE: WM |
| Class Period: | July 19, 2006 to October 31, 2007 |
| Date Filed: | Nov-05-07 |
| Lead Plaintiff Deadline: | Jan-04-08 |
| Court: | Southern District, NY |
| Allegations: |
A class action lawsuit has been filed against Washington Mutual, Inc. ("Washington Mutual") and certain of its officers and directors in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, on behalf of investors who purchased Washington Mutual common stock on the open market from July 19, 2006 through October 31, 2007 (the "Class Period"). This is the first action filed against Washington Mutual and alleges claims for securities fraud. The case has been assigned Civil Action No. 07 Civ. 9801.
The complaint charges that during the Class Period Washington Mutual improperly exerted pressure on a third-party appraisal firm, eAppraiseIT (a division of the First American Corporation), to inflate the appraised value of homes used as collateral for loans originated by Washington Mutual. Washington Mutual failed to disclose this scheme, which violated federal and state laws and regulations requiring an independent appraisal process. The inflated appraisals caused Washington Mutual's financial results to be misstated, including causing its loan assets to be overstated while its provision for doubtful accounts and reserves for loan losses were materially understated.
On October 17, 2007, Washington Mutual revealed that its anticipated fourth quarter 2007 writedowns of home loan assets would be $1.3 billion greater than previously disclosed. These writedowns were caused, at least in part, by the impairment of loan assets that were originated based on the inflated appraisals fraudulently orchestrated by the defendants. Between October 17 and October 31, Washington Mutual's stock price declined by $5.19 per share, or 15.6%.
On November 1, 2007, the Attorney General of the State of New York filed a lawsuit against First American Corporation and eAppraiseIT, alleging their complicity in a scheme to provide inflated appraisals to Washington Mutual. On November 1, 2007 and November 2, 2007, following the announcement of the NY AG's lawsuit against First American, Washington Mutual shares fell further, closing at $23.81 on November 2, 2007, down $4.07 per share, or 15%, from the October 31, 2007 closing price.
If you acquired the securities of the defendants during the Class Period you may, no later than the Lead Plaintiff Deadline shown above, request that the Court appoint you as lead plaintiff through counsel of your choice. You may also choose to remain an absent class member. A lead plaintiff must meet certain requirements.
The complaint charges that during the Class Period Washington Mutual improperly exerted pressure on a third-party appraisal firm, eAppraiseIT (a division of the First American Corporation), to inflate the appraised value of homes used as collateral for loans originated by Washington Mutual. Washington Mutual failed to disclose this scheme, which violated federal and state laws and regulations requiring an independent appraisal process. The inflated appraisals caused Washington Mutual's financial results to be misstated, including causing its loan assets to be overstated while its provision for doubtful accounts and reserves for loan losses were materially understated.
On October 17, 2007, Washington Mutual revealed that its anticipated fourth quarter 2007 writedowns of home loan assets would be $1.3 billion greater than previously disclosed. These writedowns were caused, at least in part, by the impairment of loan assets that were originated based on the inflated appraisals fraudulently orchestrated by the defendants. Between October 17 and October 31, Washington Mutual's stock price declined by $5.19 per share, or 15.6%.
On November 1, 2007, the Attorney General of the State of New York filed a lawsuit against First American Corporation and eAppraiseIT, alleging their complicity in a scheme to provide inflated appraisals to Washington Mutual. On November 1, 2007 and November 2, 2007, following the announcement of the NY AG's lawsuit against First American, Washington Mutual shares fell further, closing at $23.81 on November 2, 2007, down $4.07 per share, or 15%, from the October 31, 2007 closing price.
If you acquired the securities of the defendants during the Class Period you may, no later than the Lead Plaintiff Deadline shown above, request that the Court appoint you as lead plaintiff through counsel of your choice. You may also choose to remain an absent class member. A lead plaintiff must meet certain requirements.
