Och-Ziff Capital Management Group knew of a rumor circulating among short-sellers that may have contributed to Lehman Brothers Holdings Inc.’s downfall in the financial crisis of 2008, according to a court filing.

Bankrupt Lehman made the filing yesterday in an effort to convince a judge that Och-Ziff, a New York hedge fund, should respond to Lehman’s demand for information as it investigates investors who may have contributed to its downfall by selling short its shares.