{"id":"court_ctb_1024_0","court":"CTB","case_no":"22-50073","doc_number":1024,"sub_number":0,"doc_type":"ORDER","filed_date":"2022-08-31","title":"UNITED STATES BANKRUPTCY COURT DISTRICT OF CONNECTICUT BRIDGEPORT DIVISION | -------------------------------------------","summary_zh":null,"summary_en":null,"body_en":"# **UNITED STATES BANKRUPTCY COURT DISTRICT OF CONNECTICUT BRIDGEPORT DIVISION**\n\n| -----------------------------------------------------------
x | | | | |\n|------------------------------------------------------------------|-------------|-------------------------|--|--|\n| In re: | :
: | Chapter 11 | | |\n| HO WAN KWOK,
et al., | :
:
: | Case No. 22-50073 (JAM) | | |\n| 1
Debtors. | :
: | Jointly Administered | | |\n| ----------------------------------------------------------- | x | | | |\n\n## **SECOND MOTION OF CHAPTER 11 TRUSTEE FOR ENTRY OF ORDER STAYING PENDING ADVERSARY PROCEEDINGS BROUGHT AGAINST THE INDIVIDUAL DEBTOR PURSUANT TO 11 U.S.C. SECTIONS 523 AND/OR 727**\n\nLuc A. Despins, in his capacity as the chapter 11 trustee (the \"Trustee\") appointed in the above-captioned jointly administered chapter 11 cases (collectively, the \"Chapter 11 Case\"), hereby files this motion (the \"Motion\") for entry of an order, substantially in the form attached hereto as **Exhibit A**, staying proceedings in each of the several adversary proceedings filed in connection with the Chapter 11 Case seeking a determination of non-dischargeability of a debt pursuant to Section 523 of Title 11 of the United States Code (such title, hereinafter, the \"Bankruptcy Code\") and/or denial of the Individual Debtor's discharge pursuant to Section 727 of the Bankruptcy Code, pending further Order of this Court2 . The adversary proceedings sought to be affected hereby (hereinafter the \"Adversary Proceedings\") are as follows3 :\n\n1 The Debtors in these chapter 11 cases are Ho Wan Kwok (also known as Guo Wengui, Miles Guo, and Miles Kwok, as well as numerous other aliases) (last four digits of tax identification number: 9595) (the \"Individual Debtor\") and Genever Holdings Corporation (the \"Genever BVI Debtor\"). The mailing address for the Trustee and the Genever BVI Debtor is Paul Hastings LLP, 200 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10166 c/o Luc A. Despins, as Trustee for the Estate of Ho Wan Kwok (solely for purposes of notices and communications).\n\n2 By order dated August 31, 2022, this Court granted the Trustee's Motion for Entry of Order Staying Through October 21, 2022 Pending Adversary Proceedings Brought Against the Debtor Pursuant to 11 U.S.C. Sections 523 and/or 727 (the \"Prior Stay Order\") (ECF No. 830).\n\n3 For the avoidance of doubt, this Motion and the Proposed Order filed herewith shall not affect proceedings *HK International Funds Investments (USA) Limited, v. Luc A. Despins, as Chapter 11 Trustee* (Adv. Proc. 22-05003) or *Luc A. Despins, as Chapter 11 Trustee v. Bravo Luck Limited, at al.* (Adv. Proc. 22-05027).\n\n- *Cheng v. Kwok*, Adv. Pro. 22-5010\n- *Ma v. Kwok*, Adv. Pro. 22-5011\n- *Pacific Alliance Asia Opportunity Fund v. Kwok*, Adv. Pro. 22-50124\n- *Wu v. Kwok*, Adv. Pro. 22-5013\n- *Meng v. Kwok*, Adv. Pro. 22-5014\n- *Nunberg v. Kwok*, Adv. Pro. 22-5017\n- *Zhang v. Kwok*, Adv. Pro. 22-5018\n\nIn support of this Motion, the Trustee respectfully states as following:\n\n# **JURISDICTION, VENUE, AND BASIS**\n\n1. The United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Connecticut (the \"Court\") has jurisdiction over this matter pursuant to 28 U.S.C. §§ 157 and 1334 and the *Standing Order of Reference* from the United States District Court for the District of Connecticut (as amended). This is a core proceeding within the meaning of 28 U.S.C. § 157(b).\n\n2. Venue in this District is proper pursuant to 28 U.S.C. §§ 1408 and 1409.\n\n3. The basis for this Motion is the Court's inherent power to control the disposition of\n\nits docket, as set forth in further detail and with relevant authority below.\n\n# **BACKGROUND**\n\n4. On February 15, 2022 (the \"Petition Date\"), the Individual Debtor filed with the Court a voluntary petition for relief under chapter 11 of the Bankruptcy Code.\n\n5. On March 21, 2022, the United States Trustee appointed an official committee of unsecured creditors (the \"Committee\") in the Individual Debtor's Chapter 11 Case. No examiner has been appointed in the Chapter 11 Case.\n\n4 Hereinafter, the Pacific Alliance Asia Opportunity Fund is referred to as \"PAX.\" Each of the Adversary Proceedings is individually referred to herein by its first named plaintiff.\n\n6. On June 15, 2022, the Court entered a memorandum of decision and order [ECF No. 465] directing the United States Trustee to appoint a chapter 11 trustee in the Chapter 11 Case. Pursuant to the Trustee Order, the United States Trustee selected Luc A. Despins as the Trustee.5\n\n7. On July 8, 2022, the Court entered an order granting the appointment of Luc A. Despins as the Trustee in the Chapter 11 Case [ECF No. 523].\n\n8. The several Adversary Proceedings were commenced at various times during the period June 20, 2022 through July 20, 2022. Each of the Adversary Proceedings seeks, *inter alia*, a determination of non-dischargeability of an alleged debt or debts pursuant Section 523 of the Bankruptcy Code; *Zhang v. Kwok* also seeks denial of a discharge pursuant to Section 727 of the Bankruptcy Code.\n\n9. The Trustee moved to stay each of the Adversary Proceedings, in the cases of *Cheng*, *Ma*, and *PAX*, through August 22, 2022, in the case of *Wu* and *Meng* through August 31, 2022, and in the cases of *Nunberg* and *Zhang*, through September 21, 2022. The motions were granted as requested in each such case, except that the stay in *Zhang* ran through October 21, 2022.6\n\n10. By Motion dated August 17, 2022, the Trustee sought an Order of this Court staying all of the Adversary Proceedings through October 21, 2022. On August 31, 2022, the Prior Stay Order entered extending the stay in the Adversary Proceedings through October 21, 2022.\n\n5 The references to docket numbers set forth in this Motion refer to the Chapter 11 Case docket unless otherwise indicated.\n\n6 See [*Cheng* Adversary Proceeding, ECF Nos. 12, 17]; [*Ma* Adversary Proceeding, ECF Nos. 10, 16]; [*PAX* Adversary Proceeding, ECF Nos. 10, 15]; [*Wu* Adversary Proceeding, ECF Nos. 13, 19]; [*Meng* Adversary Proceeding, ECF Nos. 14, 20]; [*Nunberg* Adversary Proceeding, ECF Nos. 8, 9]; and [*Zhang* Adversary Proceeding, ECF No. 9, 15].\n\n#### **REQUESTED RELIEF**\n\n11. By this Motion, the Trustee seeks entry of the Proposed Order further staying the several Adversary Proceedings pending further Order of this Court.\n\n12. This Court may stay an adversary proceeding upon a variety of grounds. \"As the Supreme Court has observed, the power to stay proceedings is incidental to the power inherent in every court to control the disposition of the causes on its docket with economy of time and effort for itself, for counsel, and for litigants.\" U.S. Bank N.A. v. Perlmutter (In re South Side House, LLC), 470 B.R. 659, 684 (Bankr. E.D.N.Y 2012) (internal quotation marks omitted) citing Landis v. N. Am. Co., 299 U.S. 248, 254, 57 S. Ct. 163, 81 L. Ed. 153 (1936); see also Musselman v. Home Ins. Co. of Ind. (In re Finley, Kumble, Wagner, Heine, Underberg, Manley, Myerson & Casey), 1990 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 10235, 1990 WL 123840, at \\*2 (S.D.N.Y. Aug. 7, 1990) (finding that the bankruptcy court has the authority to enter a stay of an adversary proceeding). Determination of whether grounds exist to stay a proceeding are subject to this Court's sound discretion. In re South Side House, LLC, 470 B.R. at 684.\n\n13. Good cause exists for the Court to stay these Adversary Proceedings. The Trustee continues his investigation of the Individual Debtor's estate, including the identification of its assets. The investigation is as far-reaching as Individual Debtor's multi-national lifestyle and business dealings. The Trustee's investigation will eventually include assessing the validity and magnitude of claims asserted in these Adversary Proceedings (and whether and to what extent the matters raised therein may affect the estate, its creditors, and the ultimate disposition of the estate's assets), and the role of the Trustee in each of these Adversary Proceedings. Critically, the Trustee requires additional time to analyze the issues raised in the respective Adversary Proceedings to take a position with respect to the complaints filed therein and determine the impact of a potential\n\ndischargeability judgment on the Trustee's other efforts in this Chapter 11 Case, such as the proposal of a Chapter 11 plan of reorganization, which process could be affected by the entry of a judgment in any of these Adversary Proceedings. It would be particularly inefficient to require the Trustee to expedite those determinations or for the Court, the Trustee, and other parties-ininterest to expend time and resources with respect to the Adversary Proceedings, when the prospect of a confirmable plan of reorganization that would provide for an eventual discharge of the Individual Debtor in this Chapter 11 Case is subject to considerable doubt.\n\n14. Additionally, currently there are very limited resources in the Individual Debtor's estate. The Trustee believes that the creditors and all parties-in-interest in the estate are best served by focusing the estate's limited resources toward investigation and possible recovery of potential assets and claims belonging to the estate for the benefit of its constituents.\n\n15. The Trustee believes that extending the stay until further order of the Court allows the Trustee the ability to focus time and efforts on the investigation into Individual Debtor's assets, business and financial dealings while allowing that parties to the Adversary Proceedings may seek to terminate the stay by applying to the Court for such relief.\n\n16. The Trustee believes that requesting the relief sought herein by this Motion filed in the Chapter 11 Case, rather than by filing similar motions in each of the seven Adversary Proceedings, is appropriate, because the relief sought herein implicates the Trustee's orderly management and administration of the chapter 11 estate. As more specifically discussed below, the Trustee has consulted and provided notice of this Motion to all parties to the Adversary Proceedings. The Trustee also requests that the Court direct the clerk to enter the Proposed Order granting this Motion in each of the Adversary Proceedings as well as in the Chapter 11 Case.\n\n5\n\n17. More specifically, the Trustee's undersigned counsel contacted via email counsel for all parties in the Adversary Proceedings and Samuel Nunberg (who is self-represented) to request consent of the parties to the Adversary Proceedings with respect to the relief sought by this Motion. In response to this email, undersigned counsel received the following:\n\na. Counsel for the Individual Debtor consented to the relief sought by this Motion;\n\nb. Counsel to the plaintiffs in Zhang consented to the relief sought by this Motion; and\n\nc. Counsel to the remaining parties did not respond to the email and thus have not made known to the Trustee any objection to the relief sought by this Motion.\n\n18. The extension of the stay requested hereby would be without prejudice to the rights of any parties-in-interest in the Adversary Proceedings to request that the Court terminate the stay.\n\n19. This is the Trustee's second request for the relief sought by this Motion.\n\n[*Remainder of page intentionally left blank.*]\n\nWHEREFORE, for the foregoing reasons, the Court should enter the Proposed Order extending stays in each of the above-described Adversary Proceedings pending further order of this Court and grant such other and further relief as the Court deems just and proper.\n\nDated: October 24, 2022 LUC A. DESPINS, New Haven, Connecticut CHAPTER 11 TRUSTEE\n\nBy: */s/ Patrick R. Linsey*\n\nJames C. Graham (ct06064) Patrick R. Linsey (ct29437) NEUBERT, PEPE & MONTEITH, P.C. 195 Church Street, 13th Floor New Haven, Connecticut 06510 (203) 781-2847 plinsey@npmlaw.com\n\n*and*\n\nNicholas A. Bassett *(pro hac vice*) PAUL HASTINGS LLP 2050 M Street NW Washington, D.C., 20036 (202) 551-1902 nicholasbassett@paulhastings.com\n\n*and*\n\nAvram E. Luft *(pro hac vice*) Douglass Barron (*pro hac vice*) PAUL HASTINGS LLP 200 Park Avenue New York, New York 10166 (212) 318-6079 aviluft@paulhastings.com\n\n*Counsel for the Chapter 11 Trustee*\n\n# **UNITED STATES BANKRUPTCY COURT DISTRICT OF CONNECTICUT BRIDGEPORT DIVISION**\n\n| -----------------------------------------------------------
x | | | | |\n|------------------------------------------------------------------|-------------|-------------------------|--|--|\n| In re: | :
: | Chapter 11 | | |\n| HO WAN KWOK,
et al., | :
:
: | Case No. 22-50073 (JAM) | | |\n| 7
Debtors. | :
: | Jointly Administered | | |\n| ----------------------------------------------------------- | x | | | |\n\n### **CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE**\n\nThe undersigned hereby certifies that on October 24, 2022, the foregoing Motion was electronically filed. Notice of this filing will be sent by e-mail to all parties to this bankruptcy case able to receive electronic notice by operation of the Court's case management/electronic filing (CM/ECF) system. Parties may access this filing through the Court's CM/ECF system.\n\nNotice of this filing will also be sent by e-mail to each party to the affected Adversary\n\nProceedings, as follows:\n\nAdv. Pro. 22-5010: Jay Marshall Wolman at [jmw@randazza.com;](mailto:jmw@randazza.com) Eric Henzy at [ehenzy@zeislaw.com;](mailto:ehenzy@zeislaw.com) James Moriarty at [jmoriarty@zeislaw.com;](mailto:jmoriarty@zeislaw.com) Aaron Romney at [aromney@zeislaw.com;](mailto:aromney@zeislaw.com) John Cesaroni at [jcesaroni@zeislaw.com](mailto:jcesaroni@zeislaw.com)\n\nAdv. Pro. 22-5011: Kristin B. Mayhew at [kmayhew@mdmc-law.com;](mailto:kmayhew@mdmc-law.com) Eric Henzy at [ehenzy@zeislaw.com;](mailto:ehenzy@zeislaw.com) James Moriarty at [jmoriarty@zeislaw.com;](mailto:jmoriarty@zeislaw.com) Aaron Romney at [aromney@zeislaw.com;](mailto:aromney@zeislaw.com) John Cesaroni at [jcesaroni@zeislaw.com](mailto:jcesaroni@zeislaw.com)\n\nAdv. Pro. 22-5012: Patrick M. Birney at [pbirney@rc.com;](mailto:pbirney@rc.com) Peter Friedman at [pfriedman@omm.com;](mailto:pfriedman@omm.com) Stuart Sarnoff at [ssarnoff@omm.com;](mailto:ssarnoff@omm.com) Annecca H. Smith at [asmith@rc.com;](mailto:asmith@rc.com) Eric Henzy at [ehenzy@zeislaw.com;](mailto:ehenzy@zeislaw.com) James Moriarty at [jmoriarty@zeislaw.com;](mailto:jmoriarty@zeislaw.com) Aaron Romney at [aromney@zeislaw.com;](mailto:aromney@zeislaw.com) John Cesaroni at [jcesaroni@zeislaw.com](mailto:jcesaroni@zeislaw.com)\n\n7 The Debtors in these chapter 11 cases are Ho Wan Kwok (also known as Guo Wengui, Miles Guo, and Miles Kwok, as well as numerous other aliases) (last four digits of tax identification number: 9595) (the \"Individual Debtor\") and Genever Holdings Corporation (the \"Genever BVI Debtor\"). The mailing address for the Trustee and the Genever BVI Debtor is Paul Hastings LLP, 200 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10166 c/o Luc A. Despins, as Trustee for the Estate of Ho Wan Kwok (solely for purposes of notices and communications).\n\nAdv. Pro. 22-5013: Kristin B. Mayhew at [kmayhew@mdmc-law.com;](mailto:kmayhew@mdmc-law.com) Eric Henzy at [ehenzy@zeislaw.com;](mailto:ehenzy@zeislaw.com) James Moriarty at [jmoriarty@zeislaw.com;](mailto:jmoriarty@zeislaw.com) Aaron Romney at [aromney@zeislaw.com;](mailto:aromney@zeislaw.com) John Cesaroni at [jcesaroni@zeislaw.com](mailto:jcesaroni@zeislaw.com)\n\nAdv. Pro. 22-5014: Kristin B. Mayhew at [kmayhew@mdmc-law.com;](mailto:kmayhew@mdmc-law.com) Eric Henzy at [ehenzy@zeislaw.com;](mailto:ehenzy@zeislaw.com) James Moriarty at [jmoriarty@zeislaw.com;](mailto:jmoriarty@zeislaw.com) Aaron Romney at [aromney@zeislaw.com;](mailto:aromney@zeislaw.com) John Cesaroni at [jcesaroni@zeislaw.com](mailto:jcesaroni@zeislaw.com)\n\nAdv Pro 22-5017: Samuel Dan Nunberg at [snunberg@winstonashe.com;](mailto:snunberg@winstonashe.com) Eric Henzy at [ehenzy@zeislaw.com;](mailto:ehenzy@zeislaw.com) James Moriarty at [jmoriarty@zeislaw.com;](mailto:jmoriarty@zeislaw.com) Aaron Romney at [aromney@zeislaw.com;](mailto:aromney@zeislaw.com) John Cesaroni at [jcesaroni@zeislaw.com](mailto:jcesaroni@zeislaw.com)\n\nAdv. Pro. 22-5018: Thomas J. Sansone, at [tsansone@carmodylaw.com;](mailto:tsansone@carmodylaw.com) Eric Henzy at [ehenzy@zeislaw.com;](mailto:ehenzy@zeislaw.com) James Moriarty at [jmoriarty@zeislaw.com;](mailto:jmoriarty@zeislaw.com) Aaron Romney at [aromney@zeislaw.com;](mailto:aromney@zeislaw.com) John Cesaroni at [jcesaroni@zeislaw.com](mailto:jcesaroni@zeislaw.com)\n\nDated: October 24, 2022 LUC A. DESPINS, New Haven, Connecticut CHAPTER 11 TRUSTEE\n\nBy: */s/ Patrick R. Linsey* James C. Graham (ct06064) Patrick R. Linsey (ct29437) NEUBERT, PEPE & MONTEITH, P.C. 195 Church Street, 13th Floor New Haven, Connecticut 06510 (203) 781-2847 plinsey@npmlaw.com\n\n*and*\n\nNicholas A. Bassett *(pro hac vice*) PAUL HASTINGS LLP 2050 M Street NW Washington, D.C., 20036 (202) 551-1902 nicholasbassett@paulhastings.com\n\n*and*\n\nAvram E. Luft *(pro hac vice*) Douglass Barron (*pro hac vice*) PAUL HASTINGS LLP 200 Park Avenue New York, New York 10166 (212) 318-6079 aviluft@paulhastings.com\n\n*Counsel for the Chapter 11 Trustee*\n\n# **UNITED STATES BANKRUPTCY COURT DISTRICT OF CONNECTICUT BRIDGEPORT DIVISION**\n\n| -----------------------------------------------------------
x | | | | |\n|------------------------------------------------------------------|-------------|-------------------------|--|--|\n| In re: | :
: | Chapter 11 | | |\n| HO WAN KWOK,
et al., | :
: | Case No. 22-50073 (JAM) | | |\n| 1
Debtors. | :
:
: | Jointly Administered | | |\n| ----------------------------------------------------------- | x | | | |\n\n# **PROPOSED ORDER GRANTING MOTION FOR STAY OF ADVERSARY PROCEEDINGS SEEKING DETERMINATION OF NON-DISCHARGEABILITY OF DEBTS AND/OR DENIAL OF DISCHARGE**\n\nUPON CONSIDERATION OF the motion of Chapter 11 Trustee Luc A. Despins (the \"Trustee\") requesting an additional stay of the adversary proceedings *Cheng v. Kwok*, Adv. Pro. 22-5010; *Ma v. Kwok*, Adv. Pro. 22-5011; *Pacific Alliance Asia Opportunity Fund v. Kwok*, Adv. Pro. 22-5012; *Wu v. Kwok*, Adv. Pro. 22-5013; *Meng v. Kwok*, Adv. Pro. 22-5014; *Nunberg v. Kwok*, Adv. Pro. 22-5017 and *Zhang v. Kwok*, Adv. Pro. 22-5018 (the \"Adversary Proceedings\") pending further order of this Court, and good cause having been shown, it is by the Court,\n\nORDERED, that the motion is GRANTED and the above-described Adversary Proceedings are hereby stayed, and all related deadlines associated therewith are extended pending further order of this Court; and it is further\n\nORDERED, that this Order shall be entered in in the above-captioned Chapter 11 Case as well as in each of the Adversary Proceedings.\n\n1 The Debtors in these chapter 11 cases are Ho Wan Kwok (also known as Guo Wengui, Miles Guo, and Miles Kwok, as well as numerous other aliases) (last four digits of tax identification number: 9595) (the \"Individual Debtor\") and Genever Holdings Corporation (the \"Genever BVI Debtor\"). The mailing address for the Trustee and the Genever BVI Debtor is Paul Hastings LLP, 200 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10166 c/o Luc A. Despins, as Trustee for the Estate of Ho Wan Kwok (solely for purposes of notices and communications).","body_zh":"UNITED STATES BANKRUPTCY COURT DISTRICT OF CONNECTICUT BRIDGEPORT DIVISION（美国康涅狄格区联邦破产法院布里奇波特分院）\n\nx\n\n关于： :\n: 第11章\nHO WAN KWOK（郭文贵）\n等人， :\n:\n: 案号：22-50073 (JAM)\n\n债务人。 :\n: 联合管理\n----------------------------------------------------------- x\n第11章受托人关于作出裁定中止根据《美国法典》第11编第523条和/或第727条对个人债务人提起的未决对抗性诉讼程序的第二次动议\n\nLuc A. Despins 作为在上述标题下联合管理的第11章破产案（统称“第11章破产案”）中被任命的第11章受托人（“受托人”），特此提交本动议（“动议”），请求本院作出基本形式如本动议附件A所示的裁定，中止与该第11章破产案相关的、根据《美国法典》第11编（下称“《破产法》”）第523条寻求确认债务不得免除和/或根据《破产法》第727条寻求拒绝给予个人债务人债务免除的各起对抗性诉讼程序的审理，直至本院作出进一步裁定2。本动议拟影响的对抗性诉讼程序（以下简称“对抗性诉讼程序”）如下3：\n\n1 这些第11章破产案中的债务人为 Ho Wan Kwok（又名郭文贵、Miles Guo、Miles Kwok 以及诸多其他化名）（纳税人识别号后四位：9595）（“个人债务人”）和 Genever Holdings Corporation（“Genever BVI 债务人”）。受托人和 Genever BVI 债务人的邮寄地址为 Paul Hastings LLP, 200 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10166 转交 Ho Wan Kwok 破产财团受托人 Luc A. Despins（仅用于接收通知和联络之目的）。\n\n2 依据日期为2022年8月31日的裁定，本院批准了受托人的《关于作出将根据〈美国法典〉第11编第523条和/或第727条对债务人提起的未决对抗性诉讼程序中止至2022年10月21日的裁定的动议》（“先前的中止裁定”）（ECF No. 830）。\n\n3 为免疑义，本动议及随附提交的拟议裁定不影响 HK International Funds Investments (USA) Limited 诉第11章受托人 Luc A. Despins 案（对抗性诉讼案号：22-05003）或第11章受托人 Luc A. Despins 诉 Bravo Luck Limited 等人案（对抗性诉讼案号：22-05027）的诉讼程序。\n\n- Cheng 诉 Kwok，对抗性诉讼案号：22-5010\n- Ma 诉 Kwok，对抗性诉讼案号：22-5011\n- Pacific Alliance Asia Opportunity Fund 诉 Kwok，对抗性诉讼案号：22-50124\n- Wu 诉 Kwok，对抗性诉讼案号：22-5013\n- Meng 诉 Kwok，对抗性诉讼案号：22-5014\n- Nunberg 诉 Kwok，对抗性诉讼案号：22-5017\n- Zhang 诉 Kwok，对抗性诉讼案号：22-5018\n\n为支持本动议，受托人谨陈述如下：\n管辖权、审判地及依据\n\n1. 根据 28 U.S.C. §§ 157 和 1334 以及 United States District Court for the District of Connecticut（美国康涅狄格区联邦地方法院）的常规移交命令（经修订），United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Connecticut（美国康涅狄格区联邦破产法院）（“本院”）对本案具有管辖权。根据 28 U.S.C. § 157(b)，本案属于核心诉讼程序。\n\n2. 根据 28 U.S.C. §§ 1408 和 1409，本司法区审判地适当。\n\n3. 本动议的依据是本院控制其案件审理日程的固有权力，具体细节及相关法律依据载于下文。\n背景\n\n4. 2022年2月15日（“申请日”），个人债务人向本院提交了根据《破产法》第11章寻求救济的自愿破产申请。\n\n5. 2022年3月21日，美国受托人（United States Trustee）在个人债务人的第11章破产案中任命了一个无担保债权人官方委员会（“委员会”）。本第11章破产案中未任命任何调查员。\n\n4 下文将 Pacific Alliance Asia Opportunity Fund 称为“PAX”。本文中各对抗性诉讼程序分别以其第一列名原告指代。\n\n6. 2022年6月15日，本院作出一项裁判备忘录及命令 [ECF No. 465]，指示美国受托人在该第11章破产案中任命一名第11章受托人。根据该受托人命令，美国受托人选定了 Luc A. Despins 担任受托人。5\n\n7. 2022年7月8日，本院作出裁定，批准任命 Luc A. Despins 为该第11章破产案的受托人 [ECF No. 523]。\n\n8. 上述数起对抗性诉讼程序系于2022年6月20日至2022年7月20日期间的不同时间提起。每起对抗性诉讼程序均寻求（除其他诉求外）根据《破产法》第523条确认一项或多项主张的债务不得免除；Zhang 诉 Kwok 案还寻求根据《破产法》第727条拒绝给予债务免除。\n\n9. 受托人曾动议中止各起对抗性诉讼程序，在 Cheng、Ma 和 PAX 案中中止至2022年8月22日，在 Wu 和 Meng 案中中止至2022年8月31日，在 Nunberg 和 Zhang 案中中止至2022年9月21日。在上述各类案件中动议均按请求获得批准，惟 Zhang 案中的中止期延至2022年10月21日。6\n\n10. 依据日期为2022年8月17日的动议，受托人请求本院作出裁定将所有对抗性诉讼程序中止至2022年10月21日。2022年8月31日，本院作出了先前的中止裁定，将对抗性诉讼程序的中止期限延长至2022年10月21日。\n\n5 除非另有说明，本动议中提及的案件卷宗号均指第11章破产案卷宗。\n\n6 参见 [Cheng 对抗性诉讼程序，ECF Nos. 12, 17]；[Ma 对抗性诉讼程序，ECF Nos. 10, 16]；[PAX 对抗性诉讼程序，ECF Nos. 10, 15]；[Wu 对抗性诉讼程序，ECF Nos. 13, 19]；[Meng 对抗性诉讼程序，ECF Nos. 14, 20]；[Nunberg 对抗性诉讼程序，ECF Nos. 8, 9]；以及 [Zhang 对抗性诉讼程序，ECF No. 9, 15]。\n请求的救济\n\n11. 通过本动议，受托人请求作出拟议裁定，进一步中止该数起对抗性诉讼程序，直至本院作出进一步裁定。\n\n12. 本院可基于多种理由中止对抗性诉讼程序。“正如联邦最高法院所指出，中止诉讼程序的权力从属于每个法院固有的权力，即为了自身、律师和诉讼当事人节约时间和精力而控制其日程上案由的处理。”U.S. Bank N.A. 诉 Perlmutter (In re South Side House, LLC), 470 B.R. 659, 684 (Bankr. E.D.N.Y 2012)（引文省略），引自 Landis 诉 N. Am. Co., 299 U.S. 248, 254, 57 S. Ct. 163, 81 L. Ed. 153 (1936)；亦见 Musselman 诉 Home Ins. Co. of Ind. (In re Finley, Kumble, Wagner, Heine, Underberg, Manley, Myerson & Casey), 1990 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 10235, 1990 WL 123840, at *2 (S.D.N.Y. Aug. 7, 1990)（认定破产法院有权作出中止对抗性诉讼程序的裁定）。是否存在中止诉讼程序的理由，属于本院合理自由裁量权的范围。In re South Side House, LLC, 470 B.R. at 684。\n\n13. 本院中止这些对抗性诉讼程序具有充分理由。受托人仍在继续对个人债务人的破产财团进行调查，包括查明其资产。调查的广泛程度与个人债务人的跨国生活方式及商业往来相当。受托人的调查最终将包括评估这些对抗性诉讼程序中所主张债权的有效性和规模（以及其中提出的事项是否以及在何种程度上可能影响破产财团、其债权人以及财团资产的最终处置），以及受托人在各起对抗性诉讼程序中的角色。关键在于，受托人需要额外的时间来分析各对抗性诉讼程序中提出的问题，以便就其中提交的诉状表明立场，并确定潜在的债务可免除性判决对受托人在本第11章破产案中其他工作的影响，例如提出第11章重组计划，而该进程可能会因任何这些对抗性诉讼程序中判决的作出而受到影响。在各方对本第11章破产案中能否制定出一项规定最终免除个人债务人债务且具备可确认性的重组计划存在相当大疑问的情况下，若要求受托人加快作出上述决定，或由法院、受托人及其他利害关系方就这些对抗性诉讼程序耗费时间和资源，将尤为低效。\n\n14. 此外，目前个人债务人的破产财团中资源非常有限。受托人认为，为了财团成员的利益，将财团有限的资源集中用于调查并尽可能追回属于财团的潜在资产和权利主张，最符合财团债权人和所有利害关系方的利益。\n\n15. 受托人认为，将中止期限延长至法院作出进一步裁定为止，既能使受托人有能力将时间和精力集中于对个人债务人资产、商业及财务往来的调查，同时又允许对抗性诉讼程序的当事人可通过向法院提出申请来寻求终止中止。\n\n16. 受托人认为，通过在第11章破产案中提交本动议来寻求本动议所述的救济，而非在七起对抗性诉讼程序中分别提交类似动议，是恰当的做法，因为本动议所寻求的救济涉及受托人对第11章破产财团的有序管理与处置。如下文更具体的说明，受托人已向对抗性诉讼程序的所有当事人进行了协商并送达了本动议的通知。受托人还请求法院指示书记官在各起对抗性诉讼程序以及第11章破产案中均录入批准本动议的拟议裁定。\n\n17. 更具体而言，受托人下述署名律师已通过电子邮件联系了对抗性诉讼程序中所有当事人的代理律师以及 Samuel Nunberg（自行代理），征求对抗性诉讼程序各方当事人对本动议所寻求救济的同意。针对该电子邮件，署名律师收到了以下回复：\n\na. 个人债务人的代理律师同意本动议所寻求的救济；\n\nb. Zhang 案原告的代理律师同意本动议所寻求的救济；且\n\nc. 其余各方当事人的代理律师未回复该电子邮件，因此未向受托人提出任何对本动议所寻求救济的异议。\n\n18. 特此请求延长的中止期不得损害对抗性诉讼程序中任何利害关系方请求法院终止中止的权利。\n\n19. 这是受托人第二次就本动议所涉救济提出请求。\n\n[本页其余部分有意留白。]\n\n据此，基于前述理由，法院应当作出拟议裁定，将上述各对抗性诉讼程序的中止期延长至本院作出进一步裁定为止，并给予法院认为公正和适当的其他及进一步救济。\n\n日期：2022年10月24日\n康涅狄格州纽黑文\nLUC A. DESPINS，\n第11章受托人\n\n签署人：/s/ Patrick R. Linsey\n\nJames C. Graham (ct06064)\nPatrick R. Linsey (ct29437)\nNEUBERT, PEPE & MONTEITH, P.C.\n195 Church Street, 13th Floor\nNew Haven, Connecticut 06510\n(203) 781-2847\nplinsey@npmlaw.com\n\n及\n\nNicholas A. Bassett（特许出庭）\nPAUL HASTINGS LLP\n2050 M Street NW\nWashington, D.C., 20036\n(202) 551-1902\nnicholasbassett@paulhastings.com\n\n及\n\nAvram E. Luft（特许出庭）\nDouglass Barron（特许出庭）\nPAUL HASTINGS LLP\n200 Park Avenue\nNew York, New York 10166\n(212) 318-6079\naviluft@paulhastings.com\n\n第11章受托人代理律师\n\nUNITED STATES BANKRUPTCY COURT DISTRICT OF CONNECTICUT BRIDGEPORT DIVISION（美国康涅狄格区联邦破产法院布里奇波特分院）\n\nx\n\n关于： :\n: 第11章\nHO WAN KWOK（郭文贵）\n等人， :\n:\n: 案号：22-50073 (JAM)\n\n债务人。 :\n: 联合审理\n----------------------------------------------------------- x\n送达证书\n\n下述签署人特此证明，于2022年10月24日，上述动议已通过电子方式提交。本项提交的通知将通过电子邮件发送给本破产案件中所有能够通过法院案件管理/电子案件归档（CM/ECF）系统运行接收电子通知的各方当事人。当事人可通过法院的 CM/ECF 系统查阅本项提交。\n\n本项提交的通知还将通过电子邮件发送给受影响的各对抗制诉讼程序的各方当事人，具体如下：\n\nAdv. Pro. 22-5010：Jay Marshall Wolman [jmw@randazza.com]；Eric Henzy [ehenzy@zeislaw.com]；James Moriarty [jmoriarty@zeislaw.com]；Aaron Romney [aromney@zeislaw.com]；John Cesaroni [jcesaroni@zeislaw.com]\n\nAdv. Pro. 22-5011：Kristin B. Mayhew [kmayhew@mdmc-law.com]；Eric Henzy [ehenzy@zeislaw.com]；James Moriarty [jmoriarty@zeislaw.com]；Aaron Romney [aromney@zeislaw.com]；John Cesaroni [jcesaroni@zeislaw.com]\n\nAdv. Pro. 22-5012：Patrick M. Birney [pbirney@rc.com]；Peter Friedman [pfriedman@omm.com]；Stuart Sarnoff [ssarnoff@omm.com]；Annecca H. Smith [asmith@rc.com]；Eric Henzy [ehenzy@zeislaw.com]；James Moriarty [jmoriarty@zeislaw.com]；Aaron Romney [aromney@zeislaw.com]；John Cesaroni [jcesaroni@zeislaw.com]\n\n7 这些第 11 章案件中的债务人为 Ho Wan Kwok（郭文贵，亦称郭文贵、Miles Guo 及 Miles Kwok，以及诸多其他化名）（纳税人识别号后四位：9595）（即“个人债务人”）以及 Genever Holdings Corporation（即“Genever BVI 债务人”）。受托人与 Genever BVI 债务人的邮寄地址为 Paul Hastings LLP（普衡律师事务所）, 200 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10166 转交 Ho Wan Kwok 破产财团受托人 Luc A. Despins（仅用于通知与通信目的）。\n\nAdv. Pro. 22-5013：Kristin B. Mayhew [kmayhew@mdmc-law.com]；Eric Henzy [ehenzy@zeislaw.com]；James Moriarty [jmoriarty@zeislaw.com]；Aaron Romney [aromney@zeislaw.com]；John Cesaroni [jcesaroni@zeislaw.com]\n\nAdv. Pro. 22-5014：Kristin B. Mayhew [kmayhew@mdmc-law.com]；Eric Henzy [ehenzy@zeislaw.com]；James Moriarty [jmoriarty@zeislaw.com]；Aaron Romney [aromney@zeislaw.com]；John Cesaroni [jcesaroni@zeislaw.com]\n\nAdv Pro 22-5017：Samuel Dan Nunberg [snunberg@winstonashe.com]；Eric Henzy [ehenzy@zeislaw.com]；James Moriarty [jmoriarty@zeislaw.com]；Aaron Romney [aromney@zeislaw.com]；John Cesaroni [jcesaroni@zeislaw.com]\n\nAdv. Pro. 22-5018：Thomas J. Sansone [tsansone@carmodylaw.com]；Eric Henzy [ehenzy@zeislaw.com]；James Moriarty [jmoriarty@zeislaw.com]；Aaron Romney [aromney@zeislaw.com]；John Cesaroni [jcesaroni@zeislaw.com]\n\n日期：2022年10月24日 康涅狄格州纽黑文 第 11 章受托人 LUC A. DESPINS\n\n签署人：/s/ Patrick R. Linsey James C. Graham (ct06064) Patrick R. Linsey (ct29437) NEUBERT, PEPE & MONTEITH, P.C. 195 Church Street, 13th Floor New Haven, Connecticut 06510 (203) 781-2847 plinsey@npmlaw.com\n\n及\n\nNicholas A. Bassett（特许出庭律师） PAUL HASTINGS LLP 2050 M Street NW Washington, D.C., 20036 (202) 551-1902 nicholasbassett@paulhastings.com\n\n及\n\nAvram E. Luft（特许出庭律师） Douglass Barron（特许出庭律师） PAUL HASTINGS LLP 200 Park Avenue New York, New York 10166 (212) 318-6079 aviluft@paulhastings.com\n\n第 11 章受托人之代理律师\nUNITED STATES BANKRUPTCY COURT DISTRICT OF CONNECTICUT BRIDGEPORT DIVISION（美国康涅狄格区联邦破产法院布里奇波特分院）\n\nx\n\n关于： :\n: 第 11 章\nHO WAN KWOK（郭文贵），\n等人， :\n: 案号 22-50073 (JAM)\n\n债务人。 :\n:\n: 联合审理\n----------------------------------------------------------- x\n准予中止要求确定债务不可免除和/或拒绝免除的对抗制诉讼程序的动议拟定裁定\n\n经审议第 11 章受托人 Luc A. Despins（即“受托人”）提出的动议，该动议请求在法院作出进一步裁定之前，进一步中止对抗制诉讼程序 Cheng v. Kwok，Adv. Pro. 22-5010；Ma v. Kwok，Adv. Pro. 22-5011；Pacific Alliance Asia Opportunity Fund v. Kwok，Adv. Pro. 22-5012；Wu v. Kwok，Adv. Pro. 22-5013；Meng v. Kwok，Adv. Pro. 22-5014；Nunberg v. Kwok，Adv. Pro. 22-5017 以及 Zhang v. Kwok，Adv. Pro. 22-5018（即“对抗制诉讼程序”），且鉴于已阐明充分理由，本法院特此，\n\n裁定：动议予以准许（GRANTED），上述对抗制诉讼程序特此中止，且在法院作出进一步裁定之前，与此相关的所有期限均予以延长；并且进一步\n\n裁定：本裁定应登载于上述标题所示的第 11 章案件以及每一项对抗制诉讼程序中。\n\n1 这些第 11 章案件中的债务人为 Ho Wan Kwok（郭文贵，亦称郭文贵、Miles Guo 及 Miles Kwok，以及诸多其他化名）（纳税人识别号后四位：9595）（即“个人债务人”）以及 Genever Holdings Corporation（即“Genever BVI 债务人”）。受托人与 Genever BVI 债务人的邮寄地址为 Paul Hastings LLP, 200 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10166 转交 Ho Wan Kwok 破产财团受托人 Luc A. Despins（仅用于通知与通信目的）。","key_entities":["Kwok","Despins","Ho Wan Kwok","Paul Hastings","Guo","Miles Guo","Je"],"ecf_references":[{"doc_number":9,"court":"CTB"},{"doc_number":465,"court":"CTB"},{"doc_number":523,"court":"CTB"},{"doc_number":830,"court":"CTB"}],"word_count":2760,"status":"published","published_at":"2022-08-31 00:00:00","created_at":"2022-08-31","updated_at":"2026-08-23 13:34:24"}