{"id":"court_ctb_1298_0","court":"CTB","case_no":"22-50073","doc_number":1298,"sub_number":0,"doc_type":"ORDER","filed_date":null,"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:                                                 | :<br>:<br>Chapter 11                |\n| HO WAN KWOK, et al.,                                   | :<br>:<br>Case No. 22-50073 (JAM)   |\n| Debtors.1                                              | :<br>:<br>Jointly Administered<br>: |\n| ------------------------------------------------------ | x                                   |\n\n## **ORDER (I) APPROVING RETENTION AND APPOINTMENT OF EPIQ CORPORATE RESTRUCTURING, LLC AS CLAIMS AND NOTICING AGENT, EFFECTIVE AS OF DECEMBER 1, 2022, AND (II) GRANTING RELATED RELIEF**\n\n Upon the application (the \"Application\") of Luc Despins, in his capacity as the chapter 11 trustee (the \"Trustee\") appointed in the chapter 11 case of Ho Wan Kwok (the \"Individual Debtor\"), Genever Holdings Corporation (\"Genever (BVI)\"), and Genever Holdings LLC (\"Genever (US)\" and, together with Genever (BVI) and the Trustee, the \"Movants\") for entry of an order (this \"Order\") (a) approving the retention and appointment of Epiq Corporate Restructuring, LLC (\"Epiq\") as the Claims and Noticing Agent in the Debtors' chapter 11 cases, effective as of December 1, 2022, under 28 U.S.C. § 156(c), section 105(a) of the Bankruptcy Code, and (b) for Epiq to, among other things, (i) distribute required notices to parties in interest, (ii) receive, maintain, docket and otherwise administer the proofs of claim filed in the Debtors' cases, and (iii) provide such other administrative services—as required by the Debtors—that\n\n<sup>1</sup> 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), Genever Holdings LLC (last four digits of tax identification number: 8202) and Genever Holdings Corporation. The mailing address for the Trustee, Genever Holdings LLC, the Genever Holdings Corporation 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\nwould fall within the purview of services to be provided by the Clerk's Office; and upon the Mailloux Declaration; and it appearing that the receiving, docketing and maintaining of proofs of claim would be unduly time consuming and burdensome for the Clerk; and this Court being authorized under 28 U.S.C. §156(c) to utilize, at the Debtors' expense, outside agents and facilities to provide notices to parties in title 11 cases and to receive, docket, maintain, photocopy and transmit proofs of claim; and this Court being satisfied that Epiq has the capability and experience to provide such services and that Epiq does not hold an interest adverse to the Debtors or the estates respecting the matters upon which it is to be engaged; and good and sufficient notice of the Application having been given; and no other or further notice being required; and it appearing that the employment of Epiq is in the best interests of the Debtors, their estates, their equity security holders, and creditors; and sufficient cause appearing therefor;\n\n## IT IS HEREBY ORDERED THAT:\n\n1. The Application is approved as set forth in this Order.\n\n2. The Movants are authorized, pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 156(c) to retain Epiq, and Epiq is appointed as the Claims and Noticing Agent, effective as of December 1, 2022, under the terms and conditions of the Services Agreement.\n\n3. Epiq is authorized and directed to perform noticing services and to receive, maintain, record, and otherwise administer the proofs of claim filed in these chapter 11 cases, and all related tasks, all as described in the Application (the \"Claims and Noticing Services\").\n\n4. Epiq shall serve as the custodian of court records and shall be designated as the authorized repository for all proofs of claim filed in these chapter 11 cases and is authorized and directed to maintain a Claims Register for each of the Debtors, to provide public access to every\n\nproof of claim, and to provide the Clerk with a certified duplicate thereof upon the request of the Clerk, all subject to and in accordance with the confidentiality restrictions in the *Order Establishing Deadlines for Filing Proofs of Claim and Approving Form and Manner of Notice Thereof* regarding Confidential Proofs of Claim (as defined in the Bar Date Order) and any other confidentiality restrictions that may be approved by the Court.\n\n5. Epiq is authorized and directed to provide an electronic interface for filing proofs of claim and to obtain a post office box or address for the receipt of proofs of claim.\n\n6. Epiq is authorized to take such other actions as are needed to comply with all duties set forth in the Application.\n\n7. The Trustee, Genever (BVI), and Genever (US) are authorized to compensate Epiq for the Claims and Noticing Services in accordance with the terms of the Services Agreement.\n\n8. Epiq shall maintain records of all services showing dates, categories of services, fees charged, and expenses incurred, and shall serve monthly invoices on the Genever (BVI), Genever (US), the Trustee, the Office of the United States Trustee, counsel for Genever (BVI), counsel for Genever (US), counsel for the Trustee, counsel for an official committee, if any, monitoring the expenses of the Debtors, and any party in interest who specifically requests service of the monthly invoices.\n\n9. The parties shall meet and confer in an attempt to resolve any dispute which may arise relating to the Services Agreement or monthly invoices; *provided* that the parties may seek resolution of the matter from the Court if resolution is not achieved.\n\n10. Pursuant to section 503(b)(1)(A) of the Bankruptcy Code, the fees and expenses of Epiq under this Order shall be an administrative expense of the Debtors' estates.\n\n11. The Trustee, Genever (BVI), and Genever (US) shall indemnify Epiq and other Indemnified Parties, as that term is defined in the Services Agreement, under the terms of the Services Agreement, as modified pursuant to this Order.\n\n12. The Indemnified Parties shall not be entitled to indemnification, contribution, or reimbursement pursuant to the Services Agreement for services other than the Claims and Noticing Services as provided under the Services Agreement, unless such services and the indemnification, contribution, or reimbursement therefor are approved by the Court.\n\n13. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the Services Agreement, the Trustee, Genever (BVI), and Genever (US) shall have no obligation to indemnify Epiq, or provide contribution or reimbursement to Epiq for any claim or expense that is either: (i) judicially determined (the determination having become final) to have arisen from Epiq's gross negligence, willful misconduct, or fraud; or (ii) settled prior to a judicial determination but determined by this Court, after notice and a hearing, to be a claim or expense for which Epiq should not receive indemnity, contribution, or reimbursement under the terms of the Service Agreement as modified by this Order.\n\n14. If, before the earlier of (i) the entry of an order confirming a chapter 11 plan in these chapter 11 cases (that order having become a final order no longer subject to appeal), or (ii) the entry of an order closing these chapter 11 cases, Epiq believes that it is entitled to the payment of any amounts by the Trustee, Genever (BVI), and Genever (US) on account of the their indemnification, contribution, and/or reimbursement obligations under the Services Agreement (as modified by this Order), including without limitation the advancement of defense costs, Epiq must file an application therefor in the Court, and the Trustee, Genever (BVI), and Genever (US) may not pay any such amounts to Epiq before the entry of an order by this Court\n\napproving the payment. This paragraph is intended only to specify the period of time under which the Court shall have jurisdiction over any request for fees and expenses by Epiq for indemnification, contribution, or reimbursement, and not a provision limiting the duration of the Trustee's, Genever (BVI)'s, and Genever (US)'s obligation to indemnify Epiq. All parties in interest shall retain the right to object to any demand by Epiq for indemnification, contribution, or reimbursement.\n\n15. In the event Epiq is unable to provide the Claims and Noticing Services approved by this Order, Epiq will immediately notify the Clerk and the Movants' counsel, and, upon approval of the Court, cause to have all original proofs of claim and computer information turned over to another claims and noticing agent with the advice and consent of the Clerk and the Movants' counsel.\n\n16. Epiq shall provide no less than ten business days' notice to the Trustee, the Debtors, the U.S. Trustee, and counsel to any official committee before any increases in rates it charges are implemented and shall file such notice with the Court. Any increase in rates are subject to approval by the Court.\n\n17. The Debtors may submit a separate retention application, pursuant to 11 U.S.C. § 327 and/or any applicable law, for work that is to be performed by Epiq but is not specifically authorized by this Order.\n\n18. The Movants and Epiq are authorized to take all actions necessary to effectuate the relief granted pursuant to this Order in accordance with the Application.\n\n19. Epiq shall not cease providing claims processing services during these chapter 11 cases for any reason, including nonpayment, without an order of the Court.\n\n20. In the event that any of these chapter 11 cases are converted to cases under chapter 7 of the Bankruptcy Code, the chapter 7 trustee appointed to the case or cases shall be under no obligation to continue to retain Epiq for any purpose.\n\n21. In the event of any inconsistency between the Services Agreement, the Application, and this Order, the terms of this Order shall govern.\n\n22. The Movants and Epiq are authorized to take all actions necessary to effectuate the relief granted pursuant to this Order in accordance with the Application and Services Agreement.\n\n23. Notwithstanding any term in the Services Agreement to the contrary, this Court retains exclusive jurisdiction with respect to all matters arising from or related to the implementation, interpretation, and enforcement of this Order.\n\nDated at Bridgeport, Connecticut this 5th day of January, 2023.","body_zh":"UNITED STATES BANKRUPTCY COURT DISTRICT OF CONNECTICUT BRIDGEPORT DIVISION\n美国康涅狄格区破产法院布里奇波特分院\n\n------------------------------------------------------ x\n\nIn re: :\n关于： :\nChapter 11\n第 11 章\nHO WAN KWOK, et al., :\nHo Wan Kwok（郭文贵）等， :\nCase No. 22-50073 (JAM)\n案件编号：22-50073 (JAM)\nDebtors.1 :\n债务人。1 :\nJointly Administered\n合并审理\n:\n------------------------------------------------------ x\nORDER (I) APPROVING RETENTION AND APPOINTMENT OF EPIQ CORPORATE RESTRUCTURING, LLC AS CLAIMS AND NOTICING AGENT, EFFECTIVE AS OF DECEMBER 1, 2022, AND (II) GRANTING RELATED RELIEF\n（I）批准自 2022 年 12 月 1 日起聘用并指定 EPIQ CORPORATE RESTRUCTURING, LLC 为债权申报与通知代理，以及（II）准予相关救济的裁定\n\n经审理在 Ho Wan Kwok（郭文贵，下称“个人债务人”）、Genever Holdings Corporation（下称“Genever (BVI)”）及 Genever Holdings LLC（下称“Genever (US)”，与 Genever (BVI) 及受托人合称“动议人”）的第 11 章案件中指定的第 11 章受托人 Luc Despins（下称“受托人”）提出的申请（下称“《申请》”），该《申请》请求作出裁定（下称“本《裁定》”）：(a) 依据《美国法典》第 28 编第 156(c) 条（28 U.S.C. § 156(c)）及《破产法典》第 105(a) 条，批准自 2022 年 12 月 1 日起聘用并指定 Epiq Corporate Restructuring, LLC（下称“Epiq”）为债务人各第 11 章案件中的债权申报与通知代理；以及 (b) 由 Epiq 从事以下等事项：(i) 向利害关系方送达所需通知，(ii) 接收、保管、登记并以其他方式管理在债务人案件中提交的债权证明，以及 (iii) 提供债务人要求的、属于书记官办公室职责范围内的其他行政管理服务；经审阅 Mailloux 声明；且鉴于接收、登记及保管债权证明对书记官而言将过分耗时且构成沉重负担；且本法院依据 28 U.S.C. § 156(c) 有权在由债务人承担费用的情况下，聘请外部代理机构及设施以向第 11 编案件中的当事方提供通知，并接收、登记、保管、复印及传送债权证明；且本法院确信 Epiq 具备提供该等服务的能力与经验，且 Epiq 在其获聘处理的事项上不存在与债务人或破产财团相冲突的利益；且已就《申请》给出了充分且适当的通知；无需另行或进一步通知；且聘用 Epiq 符合债务人、其破产财团、其权益证券持有人及债权人的最大利益；且已表明有充分理由；\n特此裁定如下：\n\n1. 本《申请》依本《裁定》所载内容予以批准。\n\n2. 动议人获准依据 28 U.S.C. § 156(c) 聘用 Epiq，且 Epiq 自 2022 年 12 月 1 日起根据《服务协议》的条款和条件被指定为债权申报与通知代理。\n\n3. Epiq 获准并被指示执行通知服务，接收、保管、记录并以其他方式管理在这些第 11 章案件中提交的债权证明，并处理所有相关任务，一切均如《申请》所述（下称“债权申报与通知服务”）。\n\n4. Epiq 应担任法院记录的保管人，并应被指定为这些第 11 章案件中提交的所有债权证明的法定存放处，获准并被指示为每名债务人维护一份债权登记册，向公众提供查阅每份债权证明的途径，并在书记官提出要求时向其提供经核证的副本，所有均应受制于并符合《关于确定提交债权证明截止期限及批准其通知形式与方式的裁定》中关于保密债权证明（定义见《截止日裁定》）的保密限制以及法院可能批准的任何其他保密限制。\n\n5. Epiq 获准并被指示提供用于提交债权证明的电子界面，并获取用于接收债权证明的邮政信箱或地址。\n\n6. Epiq 获准采取为履行《申请》中所载之全部职责所需的其他行动。\n\n7. 受托人、Genever (BVI) 及 Genever (US) 获准按照《服务协议》的条款向 Epiq 支付债权申报与通知服务的报酬。\n\n8. Epiq 应保存所有服务的记录，列明日期、服务类别、收取的费用和发生的开支，并应按月向 Genever (BVI)、Genever (US)、受托人、美国受托人办公室（Office of the United States Trustee）、Genever (BVI) 的律师、Genever (US) 的律师、受托人的律师、监督债务人开支的官方委员会（如有）的律师以及明确要求送达月度账单的任何利害关系方送达月度账单。\n\n9. 各方应进行会商，以试图解决可能出现的与《服务协议》或月度账单相关的任何争议；但如果在协商后未能达成解决，各方可向法院请求解决该事项。\n\n10. 依据《破产法典》第 503(b)(1)(A) 条，Epiq 在本《裁定》项下的费用和开支应作为债务人破产财团的行政管理费用。\n\n11. 受托人、Genever (BVI) 和 Genever (US) 应根据经本《裁定》修改的《服务协议》条款，对 Epiq 和其他受补偿方（定义见《服务协议》）进行补偿。\n\n12. 除《服务协议》规定的债权申报与通知服务外，受补偿方无权就其他服务依据《服务协议》获得补偿、分摊或补偿性偿还，除非该等服务及相应的补偿、分摊或补偿性偿还获得法院批准。\n\n13. 尽管《服务协议》中有任何相反规定，受托人、Genever (BVI) 及 Genever (US) 无义务就以下任何索赔或开支向 Epiq 提供补偿，或向 Epiq 提供分摊或补偿性偿还：(i) 经司法裁定（该裁定已生效且不可再上诉）认定是由 Epiq 的重大过失、故意不当行为或欺诈引起的；或 (ii) 在司法裁定前达成和解，但经本法院在发出通知并举行听证后认定，根据经本《裁定》修改的《服务协议》条款 Epiq 不应就该索赔或开支获得补偿、分摊或补偿性偿还。\n\n14. 若在以下两者中较早发生之前：(i) 作出确认这些第 11 章案件中第 11 章重组计划的裁定（该裁定已成为不再受制于上诉的终审裁定），或 (ii) 作出终结这些第 11 章案件的裁定，Epiq 认为其有权基于受托人、Genever (BVI) 和 Genever (US) 在《服务协议》（经本《裁定》修改）项下的补偿、分摊及/或补偿性偿还义务（包括但不限于垫付抗辩费用）而获得其支付的任何款项，Epiq 必须向法院提交相关申请，且在本法院作出批准支付的裁定之前，受托人、Genever (BVI) 和 Genever (US) 不得向 Epiq 支付任何该等款项。本款仅旨在明确本法院对 Epiq 提出的任何关于补偿、分摊或补偿性偿还的费用和开支请求拥有管辖权的期限，而非限制受托人、Genever (BVI) 和 Genever (US) 对 Epiq 承担补偿义务期限的条款。所有利害关系方均保留对 Epiq 提出的任何补偿、分摊或补偿性偿还要求提出异议的权利。\n\n15. 如果 Epiq 无法提供本《裁定》所批准的债权申报与通知服务，Epiq 将立即通知书记官及动议人的律师，并在获得法院批准后，经书记官及动议人律师的建议和同意，促成将所有原始债权证明及计算机信息移交给另一家债权申报与通知代理机构。\n\n16. Epiq 在实行其收取的任何费率上调之前，应提前不少于十个工作日向受托人、债务人、美国受托人及任何官方委员会的律师发出通知，并应将该通知向法院备案。任何费率上调均须经法院批准。\n\n17. 债务人可根据 11 U.S.C. § 327 及/或任何适用法律，就将由 Epiq 执行但本《裁定》未明确授权的工作，单独提交聘用申请。\n\n18. 动议人及 Epiq 获准按照《申请》采取为执行依据本《裁定》准予的救济所需的一切行动。\n\n19. 未经法院裁定，Epiq 不得以任何理由（包括未获付款）在这些第 11 章案件期间停止提供债权处理服务。\n\n20. 如果这些第 11 章案件中的任何案件被转换为《破产法典》第 7 章下的案件，为该案或各案指定的第 7 章受托人无义务出于任何目的继续聘用 Epiq。\n\n21. 如果《服务协议》、《申请》与本《裁定》之间存在任何不一致，以本《裁定》的条款为准。\n\n22. 动议人及 Epiq 获准按照《申请》和《服务协议》采取为执行依据本《裁定》准予的救济所需的一切行动。\n\n23. 尽管《服务协议》中有任何相反条款，本法院对因执行、解释和实施本《裁定》而产生的或与之相关的所有事项保留专属管辖权。\n\n日期：2023 年 1 月 5 日，于康涅狄格州布里奇波特。\n\n1 这些第 11 章案件中的债务人为 Ho Wan Kwok（亦称郭文贵、Miles Guo 和 Miles Kwok，以及其他众多化名）（纳税人识别号后四位：9595）、Genever Holdings LLC（纳税人识别号后四位：8202）以及 Genever Holdings Corporation。受托人、Genever Holdings LLC、Genever Holdings Corporation 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（仅用于接收通知和通信联络之目的）。","key_entities":["Kwok","Ho Wan Kwok","Je","Guo","Despins","Miles Guo","Luc Despins","Paul Hastings"],"ecf_references":[],"word_count":1666,"status":"published","published_at":null,"created_at":null,"updated_at":"2026-08-23 12:57:58"}