{"id":"court_ctb_1446_0","court":"CTB","case_no":"22-50073","doc_number":1446,"sub_number":0,"doc_type":"ORDER","filed_date":"2023-02-07","title":"UNITED STATES BANKRUPTCY COURT DISTRICT OF CONNECTICUT BRIDGEPORT DIVISION | -------------------------------------------","summary_zh":"出租营销授权动议 —— Ho Wan Kwok 破产案（郭文贵 / Guo Wengui / Miles Guo），CTB 22-50073 ECF #1446（2023-02-07立案）。第 11 章受托人与 Genever 债务人联合提请法院授权销售官及苏富比国际地产公开出租雪梨荷兰酒店公寓；动议指出该公寓每月产生逾 8.7 万美元的维护费且不断消耗保证金，出租旨在产生租金收益以覆盖维保成本并为寻找买家争取时间。","summary_en":"Motion to Market Apartment for Rent — In re Ho Wan Kwok (Miles Guo / Guo Wengui), CTB 22-50073, ECF No. 1446 (filed Feb 7, 2023). The Chapter 11 Trustee and Genever Debtors moved for an order authorizing the Sales Officer and Sotheby's International Realty to market the Sherry-Netherland apartment for rent, stating that monthly maintenance charges exceed $87,000 and are depleting the security deposit.","body_en":"# **UNITED STATES BANKRUPTCY COURT DISTRICT OF CONNECTICUT BRIDGEPORT DIVISION**\n\n| ----------------------------------------------------------- | x      |                         |\n|-------------------------------------------------------------|--------|-------------------------|\n| In re:                                                      | :<br>: | Chapter 11              |\n|                                                             | :      |                         |\n| 1<br>HO WAN KWOK,<br>et al.,                                | :<br>: | Case No. 22-50073 (JAM) |\n| Debtors.                                                    | :      | (Jointly Administered)  |\n| ----------------------------------------------------------- | :<br>x |                         |\n|                                                             |        |                         |\n\n# **MOTION OF CHAPTER 11 TRUSTEE AND GENEVER DEBTORS, PURSUANT TO BANKRUPTCY CODE SECTIONS 327, 328, AND 363, FOR ENTRY OF ORDER AUTHORIZING SALES OFFICER AND SOTHEBY'S INTERNATIONAL REALTY TO MARKET SHERRY NETHERLAND APARTMENT FOR RENT**\n\nLuc 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 the Trustee, and Genever (BVI), the \"Movants\"), by and through their undersigned counsel, respectfully submit this motion requesting entry of an order, substantially in the form attached hereto as **Exhibit A** (the \"Proposed Order\"), authorizing the former bankruptcy judge Melanie L. Cyganowski, as sales officer (the \"Sales Officer\"), and Sotheby's International Realty (\"Sotheby's\") to market the Sherry Netherland Apartment (as defined below) for rent. In support of this Motion, Movants respectfully state as follows:\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, and 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\n### **PRELIMINARY STATEMENT**\n\n1. On February 1, 2023, the Court entered an order [Docket No. 1425] (the\n\n\"Extension Order\") granting Movants' motion to extend the sale process for the Sherry Netherland Apartment, with certain modifications, including (a) preserving the consultation rights of Bravo Luck Limited (\"Bravo Luck\") and Pacific Alliance Asia Opportunity Fund L.P. (\"PAX\") under the Settlement Agreement (as defined below), but removing any consent rights, and (b) extending the sale process of the Sherry Netherland Apartment to April 30, 2023.\n\n2. While the Extension Order did not grant Movant's request (as reflected in the revised proposed order filed on January 25, 2023 [Docket No. 1390]) to also authorize the Sales Officer to market the Sherry Netherland Apartment for rent, the Extension Order allowed Movants to file a supplemental motion requesting such relief on or before February 10, 2023, with the hearing on such motion to be held on March 7, 2023 at 2:00 p.m. (ET).\n\n3. By this Motion, Movant now request that the Sales Officer and Sotheby's be authorized to market the Sherry Netherland Apartment for rent. Such authorization would be subject to the following conditions:\n\n- Entry into any rental agreement with respect to the Sherry Netherland Apartment is subject to approval of the Court upon notice and a hearing;\n- The rights of all parties in interest, including, without limitation, PAX and Bravo Luck, to object to approval of such rental agreement are preserved; and\n- Nothing in the Proposed Order amends, modifies, or supersedes any rights (including approval rights) of Sherry-Netherland, Inc. (the \"Sherry-Netherland\") and the Sherry-Netherland Co-Op Board (as defined in the Settlement Agreement) with respect to any such rental agreement.\n\n4. For the avoidance of doubt, PAX and Bravo Luck would have the same\n\nconsultation rights (but no consent rights) with respect to the marketing of the Sherry Netherland\n\nApartment for rent, to the same extent as they have consultation rights with respect to the\n\nmarketing of the Sherry Netherland Apartment for sale under the Settlement Agreement (as modified by the Extension Order).\n\n5. Movants submit that it is in the best interest of the Debtors' estates to expand the Sales Officer's and Sotheby's authorization to also include the marketing of the apartment for rent. Despite the Sales Officer's and Sotheby's best efforts to identify a buyer for the Sherry Netherland Apartment, those efforts have not yet been successful. In the meantime, maintenance charges and assessments (in the amount of more than \\$87,000 per month), which are due under Genever (US)'s long-term lease with the Sherry-Netherland, continue to accrue and are being deducted on a monthly basis from the security deposit related to the Sherry Netherland Apartment (the \"Security Deposit\"). Other than the Sherry Netherland Apartment and the Security Deposit, Genever (US) has no presently identified material assets that could be used to funds the monthly maintenance charges and assessments.\n\n6. To avert the possibility that the Security Deposit is depleted prior to a sale of the apartment, it is critical that the Sales Officer and Sotheby's be given the flexibility to also market the apartment for rent so as to generate rental income to fund the payment of the maintenance charges and assessments. Renting the apartment would also provide additional runway to identify a buyer for a value-maximizing sale. However, to reiterate, any rental agreement would be subject to approval of this Court upon notice and a hearing.\n\n7. For all these reasons, and as further detailed below, Movants request that the Motion be granted.\n\n### **BACKGROUND**\n\n8. On October 12, 2020, Genever (US) filed a voluntary petition for relief under chapter 11 of title 11 of the United States Code in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the\n\nSouthern District of New York (the \"SDNY Bankruptcy Court\"), thereby commencing case number 20-12411 (JLG) (the \"SDNY Bankruptcy Case\").\n\n9. One of the Genever (US)'s principal assets consists of the 18th floor apartment and auxiliary units in the Sherry Netherland Hotel located at 781 Fifth Avenue, New York, New York 10022 (collectively, the \"Sherry Netherland Apartment\").<sup>2</sup> The Sherry Netherland Apartment was purchased in 2015 for approximately \\$70 million.\n\n10. On September 24, 2021, Genever (US) filed its *Omnibus Second Renewed Motion (i) to Approve Second Amended and Restated Settlement with Bravo Luck and PAX; and (ii) to Hire Melanie L. Cyganowski as an Employee Only to Act as the Sales Officer for the Debtor's Bankruptcy Estate* [Docket No. 131 in Case No. 22-50592] (the \"Settlement Motion\"). As set forth in the Settlement Motion, Genever (US), PAX and Bravo Luck entered into a settlement (the \"Settlement Agreement\") (attached to the Settlement Motion as Exhibit A), establishing, among other things, a framework for the sale of the Sherry Netherland Apartment under the stewardship of former bankruptcy judge Melanie L. Cyganowski as Sales Officer to be employed by Genever (US) in accordance with an engagement letter dated September 24, 2021 (attached to the Settlement Motion as Exhibit B).\n\n11. Under the Settlement Agreement, the Sales Officer's authority and duties are, among other things, to (i) select a real estate broker to be retained and employed by Genever (US)'s estate in the Sales Officer's business judgment, and subject to the right of Bravo Luck and PAX to object, (ii) oversee and interface with the retained real estate broker, and (iii) have the final approval power after prior consultation with Genever (US), Bravo Luck and PAX, and subject to Court approval with right to object by Bravo Luck and PAX, regarding the marketing\n\n<sup>2</sup> The Apartment is the subject of that certain proprietary lease, dated March 6, 2015, by and between Genever (US), as lessee of the apartment, and the Sherry-Netherland, as lessor of the apartment.\n\nand sale of the Sherry Netherland Apartment. The Settlement Agreement also provides that the sale process shall be limited to 180 days from the retention of the broker, subject to extension upon written agreement of Genever (US), Bravo Luck and PAX, or by further order of the court for cause shown.\n\n12. On October 8, 2021, the SDNY Bankruptcy Court entered (i) an Order approving the Settlement [Docket No. 141 in Case No. 22-50592] (the \"Settlement Order\"); and (ii) an Order approving Genever (US)'s hiring of Melanie L. Cyganowski [Docket No. 142 in Case No. 22-50592] (the \"Sales Officer Order\").\n\n13. On December 15, 2021, Genever (US) filed its *Application to Employ and Retain Sotheby's International Realty as its Real Estate Broker and Sales Agent* [Docket No. 160 in Case No. 22-50592] (the \"Sotheby's Application\"), in which Genever (US) sought to retain Sotheby's as Genever (US)'s sales agent in accordance with the engagement agreement [Docket No. 162-1 in Case No. 22-50592] (the \"Retention Agreement\"). The Retention Agreement provides that Sotheby's shall be retained for an initial term of 180 days from the entry of the Order approving its retention.\n\n14. On January 13, 2022, the SDNY Bankruptcy Court entered an order, pursuant to sections 327(a), 328, and 363(b) of the Bankruptcy Code and applicable Bankruptcy Rules, approving the Sotheby's Application [Docket No. 168 in Case No. 22-50592].\n\n15. On November 3, 2022, the SDNY Bankruptcy Court entered an order [Docket No. 225 in Case No. 22-50592] transferring the venue of the SDNY Bankruptcy Case to this Court, which assigned it Case Number 22-50592. The chapter 11 cases of the Individual Debtor, Genever (US), and Genever (BVI) are being jointly administered for procedural purposes only.\n\n16. On December 12, 2023, Movants filed their *Motion, Pursuant to Bankruptcy Code Sections 327, 328, and 363, for Entry of Order Further Extending (I) Sale Process of Sherry Netherland Apartment and (II) Retention of Sotheby's International Realty as Broker* [Docket No. 1257] (the \"Extension Motion\") seeking, among other things, to extend the sale process for the Sherry Netherland Apartment. 3\n\n17. Following the January 24, 2023 hearing on the Extension Motion, Movants submitted a revised proposed order (the \"Revised Proposed Order\") that included certain modifications to the proposed order attached to the Extension Motion, including (a) preserving PAX's and Bravo Luck's consultation rights under the Settlement Agreement (but removing any consent rights), (b) extending the sale process to April 30, 2023, and (c) authorizing the Sales Officer to also market the Sherry Netherland Apartment for rent.\n\n18. On February 1, 2023, the Court entered the Extension Order, with the revisions reflected in the Revised Proposed Order, except that (a) the Court removed the paragraph that would have also authorized the Sales Officer to market the Sherry Netherland Apartment for rent and (b) instead, allowed Movants to file a supplemental motion with respect to such requested relief.\n\n19. As of the filing of this Motion, no buyer has yet been identified for the Sherry Netherland Apartment.\n\n<sup>3</sup> The SDNY Bankruptcy Court had previously entered stipulations and orders extending the sale process of the Sherry Netherland Apartment and Sotheby's retention by Genever (US), such that, prior to the approval of the Extension Motion, the sale process under the Settlement Agreement had terminated on October 31, 2022. See Docket Nos. 202 and 222 in Case No. 22-50592.\n\n### **JURISDICTION, VENUE, AND STATUTORY BASES**\n\n20. 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\n21. The bases for the relief requested herein are sections 105(a), 327, 328, and 363 of title 11 of the United States Code (the \"Bankruptcy Code\").\n\n### **BASIS FOR RELIEF**\n\n22. The relief sought in this Motion is exceedingly narrow—namely, to authorize the Sales Officer and Sotheby's to *market the apartment for rent*, in addition to their existing authorization to market the Sherry Netherland Apartment for sale. To be clear, through this Motion, Movants are *not* seeking authorization to rent the Sherry Netherland Apartment. Indeed, once a potential renter has been identified, Movants will come back to this Court to seek approval of the rental agreement, upon notice and a hearing.\n\n23. The narrow relief sought in this Motion is in the best interest of the Debtors' estates, as it will provide an additional avenue to monetize the substantial value of the apartment by marketing the apartment to parties interested in renting. For a little over a year now, the Sales Officer and Sotheby's have expended great efforts to identify a potential buyer for the Sherry Netherland Apartment; however, due to a variety of economic factors, including the limited pool of potential buyers for a multi-million dollar penthouse apartment, these efforts have not yet been successful. In the meantime, the Sherry-Netherland has charged, and continues to charge, Genever (US) postpetition maintenance charges and assessments in the amount of more than \\$87,000 per month, which amounts are currently being deducted from the Security Deposit on a monthly basis. As a result, the balance of the Security Deposit has declined from approximately\n\n\\$3.5 million, as of Genever (US)'s petition date, to less than \\$1.2 million, as of February 1, 2023. Because Genever (US) has no other presently identified material assets, absent finding a buyer or renter for the apartment, the Security Deposit would be exhausted in a little over a year.\n\n24. Movants are optimistic that, ultimately, a buyer will be found for the Sherry Netherland Apartment. However, in the interim, the Sales Officer and Sotheby's should be given the ability to also market the apartment for rent—in addition to their continuing efforts to market the apartment for sale. Renting the apartment could not only cover some or all of the monthly maintenance charges and assessments, thereby preserving (or, at a minimum, reducing the depletion of) the Security Deposit, but it would also give the Sales Officer and Sotheby's additional time to identify a potential buyer for a value-maximizing sale.\n\n25. Given the time-sensitive nature of the relief requested in this Motion, Movants also request a waiver of the fourteen-day stay requirements under Bankruptcy Rule 6004(h), such that the Proposed Order be effective immediately upon entry thereof.\n\n26. Finally, Movants acknowledge that, currently, Ho Wan Kwok and members of his immediate family (collectively, the \"Kwok Family\") are permitted—by agreement between the Sherry-Netherland, as lessor, and Genever (US), as lessee—to use the Sherry Netherland Apartment without paying any rent or maintenance charges. To be clear, by this Motion, Movants are *not* seeking to terminate the Kwok Family's permissive use of the apartment. That said, in the interest of full disclosure, Genever (US) and the Trustee intend to commence, in the near future, an adversary proceeding (and file a related summary judgment motion) seeking to bring to an end the Kwok Family rent-free use of the Apartment.\n\n[*Remainder of page intentionally left blank.*]\n\nWHEREFORE, for the foregoing reasons, Movants request that the Court enter an order\n\ngranting the relief requested in this Motion and such other relief as is just and proper.\n\nDated: February 7, 2023 LUC A. DESPINS, CHAPTER 11 TRUSTEE, New Haven, Connecticut GENEVER HOLDINGS LLC, AND GENEVER HOLDINGS CORPORATION\n\n> By: /s/Douglas S. Skalka Douglas S. Skalka (ct00616) Patrick R. Linsey (ct29437) NEUBERT, PEPE & MONTEITH, P.C. 195 Church Street, 13th Floor New Haven, Connecticut 06510 (203) 821-2000 dskalka@npmlaw.com plinsey@npmlaw.com\n\n> > *and*\n\nNicholas A. Bassett (admitted *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 (admitted *pro hac vice*) G. Alexander Bongartz (admitted *pro hac vice*) PAUL HASTINGS LLP 200 Park Avenue New York, New York 10166 (212) 318-6079 aviluft@paulhastings.com alexbongartz@paulhastings.com\n\n*Counsel for the Chapter 11 Trustee, Genever Holdings LLC, and Genever Holdings Corporation*\n\nCase 22-50073 Doc 1446 Filed 02/07/23 Entered 02/07/23 18:03:31 Page 10 of 14\n\n## **EXHIBIT A**\n\n**Proposed Order**\n\n# **UNITED STATES BANKRUPTCY COURT DISTRICT OF CONNECTICUT BRIDGEPORT DIVISION**\n\n| -----------------------------------------------------------<br>x |             |                         |  |  |\n|------------------------------------------------------------------|-------------|-------------------------|--|--|\n| In re:                                                           | :<br>:      | Chapter 11              |  |  |\n| 1<br>HO WAN KWOK,<br>et al.,                                     | :<br>:      | Case No. 22-50073 (JAM) |  |  |\n| Debtors.                                                         | :<br>:<br>: | (Jointly Administered)  |  |  |\n| -----------------------------------------------------------      | x           |                         |  |  |\n\n# **ORDER, PURSUANT TO BANKRUPTCY CODE SECTIONS 327, 328, AND 363, AUTHORIZING SALES OFFICER AND SOTHEBY'S INTERNATIONAL REALTY TO MARKET SHERRY NETHERLAND APARTMENT FOR RENT**\n\nUpon the motion (the \"Motion\") 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 LLC (\"Genever (US)\"), and Genever Holdings Corporation (\"Genever (BVI)\" and, together with the Trustee and Genever (US), the \"Movants\") for entry of an order (this \"Order\") authorizing the Sales Officer<sup>2</sup> and Sotheby's to market the Sherry Netherland Apartment for rent; and the Court having reviewed the Motion and having considered the statements of counsel before the Court at a hearing (the \"Hearing\"); and the Court having found that (a) the Court has jurisdiction over this matter pursuant to 28 U.S.C. §§ 157 and 1334; (b) this is a core proceeding pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 157(b); (c) venue is proper pursuant to 28 U.S.C. §§ 1408 and 1409; and (d) good and sufficient notice of the Motion having been given;\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, and 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\n<sup>2</sup> Capitalized terms not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings ascribed to them in the Motion.\n\nand no other or further notice being required; and the Court having found and determined that the legal and factual bases set forth in the Motion establish just cause for the relief granted herein; and it appearing that the relief requested by the Motion is in the best interest of the Debtors' estates and creditors; and upon all of the proceedings had before the Court and after due deliberation and sufficient cause appearing therefor, it is hereby ORDERED THAT\n\n1. The Motion is approved as set forth in this Order.\n\n2. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the Settlement Agreement or the Extension Order, the Sales Officer and Sotheby's are authorized to market the Sherry Netherland Apartment for rent; provided, however, that (a) entry into any rental agreement is subject to approval of the Court upon notice and a hearing, (b) the rights of all parties in interest, including, without limitation, PAX and Bravo Luck, to object to approval of such agreement are preserved, and (c) nothing herein amends, modifies, or supersedes any rights (including approval rights) of the Sherry-Netherland and the Sherry-Netherland Co-Op Board (as defined in the Settlement Agreement) with respect to any such rental agreement.\n\n3. For the avoidance of doubt, PAX and Bravo Luck shall have the same consultation rights (but no consent rights) with respect to the marketing of the Sherry Netherland Apartment for rent, to the same extent as they have consultation rights with respect to the marketing of the Sherry Netherland Apartment for sale under the Settlement Agreement (as modified by the Extension Order).\n\n4. Movants are authorized and empowered to take all actions necessary to effectuate the relief granted in this Order.\n\n5. The terms and conditions of this Order shall be immediately effective and enforceable upon its entry.\n\n6. This Court retains exclusive jurisdiction with respect to all matters arising from or related to the implementation, interpretation, and enforcement of this Order.\n\n# **UNITED STATES BANKRUPTCY COURT DISTRICT OF CONNECTICUT BRIDGEPORT DIVISION**\n\n| -----------------------------------------------------------<br>x |             |                         |  |  |\n|------------------------------------------------------------------|-------------|-------------------------|--|--|\n| In re:                                                           | :<br>:      | Chapter 11              |  |  |\n| 1<br>HO WAN KWOK,<br>et al.,                                     | :<br>:<br>: | Case No. 22-50073 (JAM) |  |  |\n| Debtors.                                                         | :<br>:      | (Jointly Administered)  |  |  |\n| -----------------------------------------------------------      | x           |                         |  |  |\n\n## **CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE**\n\nThe undersigned hereby certifies that on February 7, 2023, the foregoing Motion, and all exhibits and attachments thereto, was electronically filed. Notice of this filing will sent by email to all parties to the above-captioned chapter 11 case by operation of the Court's electronic filing (\"CM/ECF\") system or by mail to anyone unable to accept electronic filing as indicated on the Notice of Electronic Filing. <sup>2</sup> Parties may access this filing through the Court's CM/ECF system.\n\nDated: February 7, 2023 New Haven, Connecticut\n\n> By: /s/Douglas S. Skalka Douglas S. Skalka (ct00616) NEUBERT, PEPE & MONTEITH, P.C. 195 Church Street, 13th Floor New Haven, Connecticut 06510 (203) 821-2000 dskalka@npmlaw.com\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, and 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\n<sup>2</sup> To the extent that the foregoing was filed outside regular business hours, service by mail on recipients unable or not qualified to accept electronic notice was made on the next business day.","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部）\n\n----------------------------------------------------------- x\n\n关于： :\n: 第 11 章\n\nHO WAN KWOK（郭文贵）等， :\n: 案号：22-50073 (JAM)\n债务人。 : （合并审理）\n\nx\n\n第 11 章受托人及 GENEVER 债务人依据《破产法典》第 327、328 及 363 条提请作出裁定授权销售专员及苏富比国际地产招租雪莉荷兰公寓的动议\n\nLuc Despins（卢克·德斯宾斯）以在 Ho Wan Kwok（郭文贵）（下称「个人债务人」）第 11 章破产案中指定的第 11 章受托人（下称「受托人」）身份，Genever Holdings Corporation（下称「Genever (BVI)」）以及 Genever Holdings LLC（下称「Genever (US)」，与受托人和 Genever (BVI) 合称为「动议人」），通过其下述署名律师，谨此提交本动议，请求作出基本符合随附于本动议附件 A 之形式的裁定（下称「拟议裁定」），授权前破产法官 Melanie L. Cyganowski（梅兰妮·L·西加诺夫斯基）以销售专员（下称「销售专员」）身份，以及 Sotheby's International Realty（苏富比国际地产，下称「苏富比」）就 Sherry Netherland Apartment（雪莉荷兰公寓，定义见下文）对外招租。为支持本动议，动议人谨陈述如下：\n\n1 这些第 11 章案件中的债务人为 Ho Wan Kwok（郭文贵，亦称 Miles Guo、Miles Kwok 以及其他若干化名）（税务识别号后四位：9595）、Genever Holdings LLC（税务识别号后四位：8202）以及 Genever Holdings Corporation。受托人、Genever Holdings LLC 以及 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（仅用于通知与沟通目的）。\n\n前言\n\n1. 2023年2月1日，法院作出一项裁定 [案卷编号 1425]（下称「展期裁定」），准予动议人关于延长雪莉荷兰公寓出售程序的动议，并作出了若干修改，包括：(a) 保留 Bravo Luck Limited（下称「Bravo Luck」）与 Pacific Alliance Asia Opportunity Fund L.P.（太盟亚洲机会基金，下称「PAX」）在《和解协议》（定义见下文）项下的协商权，但取消任何同意权；以及 (b) 将雪莉荷兰公寓的出售程序延长至2023年4月30日。\n\n2. 尽管展期裁定未准予动议人提出的同时授权销售专员招租雪莉荷兰公寓的请求（该请求反映在2023年1月25日提交的修订拟议裁定中 [案卷编号 1390]），但展期裁定允许动议人在2023年2月10日或之前提交一份补充动议请求该项救济，该动议的听证会定于2023年3月7日美国东部时间下午 2:00 举行。\n\n3. 动议人现通过本动议请求授权销售专员及苏富比就雪莉荷兰公寓对外招租。该项授权须符合以下条件：\n\n- 就雪莉荷兰公寓订立任何租赁协议均须在发出通知并举行听证会后获得法院批准；\n- 保留所有利害关系方（包括但不限于 PAX 和 Bravo Luck）对批准该租赁协议提出异议的权利；以及\n- 拟议裁定中的任何内容均不修订、修改或取代 Sherry-Netherland, Inc.（下称「Sherry-Netherland」）及 Sherry-Netherland 合作公寓董事会（定义见《和解协议》）就任何此类租赁协议所享有的任何权利（包括审批权）。\n\n4. 为免生疑义，PAX 和 Bravo Luck 就雪莉荷兰公寓招租所享有的协商权（但无同意权），与依据《和解协议》（经展期裁定修改）就雪莉荷兰公寓出售所享有的协商权范围相同。\n\n5. 动议人认为，扩大销售专员及苏富比的授权范围以包括公寓招租，符合债务人破产财团的最佳利益。尽管销售专员和苏富比已尽最大努力为雪莉荷兰公寓寻找买家，但这些努力尚未取得成功。与此同时，依据 Genever (US) 与 Sherry-Netherland 签订的长期租约所应支付的物业管理费及分摊费用（每月超过 87,000 美元）仍在持续累积，并按月从与雪莉荷兰公寓相关的押金（下称「押金」）中扣除。除雪莉荷兰公寓及押金外，Genever (US) 目前未发现可用于支付每月物业管理费及分摊费用的重大资产。\n\n6. 为防止押金在公寓售出前耗尽，至关重要的是赋予销售专员及苏富比同时招租该公寓的灵活性，以产生租金收入来支付物业管理费及分摊费用。出租公寓还将为寻找买家以实现价值最大化出售争取更多时间。然而，重申的是，任何租赁协议均须在发出通知并举行听证会后获得本法院批准。\n\n7. 基于所有上述理由，并如下文详述，动议人请求准予本动议。\n\n背景\n\n8. 2020年10月12日，Genever (US) 依据《美国法典》第 11 篇第 11 章向 United States Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York（纽约南区联邦破产法院，下称「纽约南区破产法院」）提交了自愿救济申请，从而启动了案件编号为 20-12411 (JLG) 的案件（下称「纽约南区破产案」）。\n\n9. Genever (US) 的主要资产之一包括位于 781 Fifth Avenue, New York, New York 10022 的雪莉荷兰酒店 18 楼公寓及附属单元（统称「雪莉荷兰公寓」）。2 雪莉荷兰公寓于 2015 年以约 7000 万美元购得。\n\n10. 2021年9月24日，Genever (US) 提交了其《关于(i)批准与 Bravo Luck 及 PAX 的第二次经修订和重述的和解协议；及(ii)仅以雇员身份聘请 Melanie L. Cyganowski 担任债务人破产财团销售专员的综合第二次重新提出的动议》[案件编号 22-50592 中的案卷编号 131]（下称「和解动议」）。正如和解动议所述，Genever (US)、PAX 及 Bravo Luck 达成了一项和解（下称「《和解协议》」）（作为附件 A 随附于和解动议），除其他事项外，确立了在前破产法官 Melanie L. Cyganowski 担任销售专员的主持下出售雪莉荷兰公寓的框架，该销售专员由 Genever (US) 根据日期为2021年9月24日的聘用函（作为附件 B 随附于和解动议）予以聘用。\n\n11. 根据《和解协议》，销售专员的职权和职责包括：(i) 依据销售专员的商业判断，在受制于 Bravo Luck 和 PAX 提出异议的权利的前提下，选定由 Genever (US) 破产财团留聘并雇用的房地产经纪人；(ii) 监督所聘请的房地产经纪人并与其对接；以及 (iii) 在事先与 Genever (US)、Bravo Luck 和 PAX 协商后，并在受制于法院批准以及 Bravo Luck 和 PAX 提出异议的权利的前提下，就雪莉荷兰公寓的营销和出售享有最终批准权。\n\n2 该公寓为 Genever (US)（作为公寓承租人）与 Sherry-Netherland（作为公寓出租人）之间于2015年3月6日订立的特定专有租赁协议的标的物。\n\n《和解协议》还规定，出售程序应限制在自聘用经纪人起 180 天内，经 Genever (US)、Bravo Luck 和 PAX 书面同意，或经法院在证明有正当理由后进一步下达命令，可予以延长。\n\n12. 2021年10月8日，纽约南区破产法院作出了：(i) 一项批准和解的裁定 [案件编号 22-50592 中的案卷编号 141]（下称「和解裁定」）；以及 (ii) 一项批准 Genever (US) 聘用 Melanie L. Cyganowski 的裁定 [案件编号 22-50592 中的案卷编号 142]（下称「销售专员裁定」）。\n\n13. 2021年12月15日，Genever (US) 提交了其《关于雇用并留聘苏富比国际地产担任其房地产经纪人及销售代理的申请》[案件编号 22-50592 中的案卷编号 160]（下称「苏富比申请」），Genever (US) 在该申请中请求根据聘用协议 [案件编号 22-50592 中的案卷编号 162-1]（下称「留聘协议」）留聘苏富比担任 Genever (US) 的销售代理。留聘协议规定，苏富比的初始留聘期限为自批准其留聘的裁定作出之日起 180 天。\n\n14. 2022年1月13日，纽约南区破产法院依据《破产法典》第 327(a)、328 和 363(b) 条及适用的《破产规则》作出裁定，批准了苏富比申请 [案件编号 22-50592 中的案卷编号 168]。\n\n15. 2022年11月3日，纽约南区破产法院作出裁定 [案件编号 22-50592 中的案卷编号 225]，将纽约南区破产案移送至本法院管辖，本法院指定案号为 22-50592。个人债务人、Genever (US) 和 Genever (BVI) 的第 11 章案件仅出于程序目的进行合并审理。\n\n16. 2023年12月12日，动议人提交了其《依据〈破产法典〉第 327、328 及 363 条提请作出进一步延长 (I) 雪莉荷兰公寓出售程序及 (II) 留聘苏富比国际地产担任经纪人的裁定的动议》[案卷编号 1257]（下称「展期动议」），除其他事项外，请求延长雪莉荷兰公寓的出售程序。3\n\n17. 在2023年1月24日就展期动议举行听证会后，动议人提交了一份修订拟议裁定（下称「修订拟议裁定」），其中对展期动议随附的拟议裁定包含若干修改，包括：(a) 保留 PAX 和 Bravo Luck 在《和解协议》项下的协商权（但取消任何同意权）；(b) 将出售程序延长至2023年4月30日；以及 (c) 授权销售专员同时招租雪莉荷兰公寓。\n\n18. 2023年2月1日，法院作出了展期裁定，采纳了修订拟议裁定中所体现的修改，但以下情况除外：(a) 法院删除了原本将授权销售专员招租雪莉荷兰公寓的段落；以及 (b) 转而允许动议人就该项所请求的救济提交补充动议。\n\n19. 截至本动议提交之日，尚未为雪莉荷兰公寓找到买家。\n\n3 纽约南区破产法院此前曾作出延长雪莉荷兰公寓出售程序及 Genever (US) 留聘苏富比的约定及裁定，使得在展期动议获批之前，《和解协议》项下的出售程序已于2022年10月31日终止。参见案件编号 22-50592 中的案卷编号 202 和 222。\n\n管辖权、审判地及法定依据\n\n20. 依据《美国法典》第 28 篇第 157 及 1334 条以及 United States District Court for the District of Connecticut（康涅狄格区联邦地区法院）的《移送案件现行常规命令》（经修订），本法院对本事项具有管辖权。本案属于《美国法典》第 28 篇第 157(b) 条含义内的核心程序。\n\n21. 本文所请求救济的依据为《美国法典》第 11 篇（下称「《破产法典》」）第 105(a)、327、328 及 363 条。\n\n救济依据\n\n22. 本动议所寻求的救济极其有限——即授权销售官（Sales Officer）及 Sotheby's（苏富比）推介该公寓出租，以作为其现有的推介 Sherry Netherland Apartment（雪梨荷兰公寓）出售授权的补充。需要明确的是，动议人通过本动议并非寻求出租雪梨荷兰公寓的授权。事实上，一旦确定了潜在承租人，动议人将在发出通知并举行听证后，再次向本法院寻求对租赁协议的批准。\n\n23. 本动议所寻求的有限救济符合债务人破产财产的最佳利益，因为通过向有意租赁的各方推介该公寓，将为变现该公寓的巨额价值提供额外途径。一年多以来，销售官和苏富比付出了巨大努力以寻找雪梨荷兰公寓的潜在买家；然而，由于多种经济因素（包括数百万美元顶层公寓的潜在买家群体有限），这些努力尚未取得成功。与此同时，Sherry-Netherland（雪梨荷兰）已经并继续向 Genever (US) 收取每月超过 87,000 美元的申请后物业维护费和特别摊销费，这些金额目前每月直接从保证金（Security Deposit）中扣除。因此，保证金余额已从截至 Genever (US) 申请破产之日的约 350 万美元，下降至截至 2023 年 2 月 1 日的不足 120 万美元。由于 Genever (US) 目前没有其他已确定的重大资产，如果无法为该公寓找到买家或承租人，保证金将在一年多一点的时间内耗尽。\n\n24. 动议人乐观地认为，最终会为雪梨荷兰公寓找到买家。然而，在此期间，除了继续推介公寓出售外，销售官和苏富比还应获得推介公寓出租的能力。出租该公寓不仅可以覆盖部分或全部每月的维护费和特别摊销费，从而保留（或至少减少消耗）保证金，而且还将为销售官和苏富比争取额外的时间，以寻找潜在买家实现价值最大化的出售。\n\n25. 鉴于本动议所请求救济的时间紧迫性，动议人还请求豁免《破产规则》（Bankruptcy Rule）第 6004(h) 条下的十四天暂缓执行要求，以使拟议裁定（Proposed Order）在签署登入后立即生效。\n\n26. 最后，动议人承认，目前，Ho Wan Kwok（郭文贵）及其直系亲属（统称「郭氏家族」）根据出租人雪梨荷兰与承租人 Genever (US) 之间的协议，获准在不支付任何租金或维护费的情况下使用雪梨荷兰公寓。需要明确的是，通过本动议，动议人并不寻求终止郭氏家族对该公寓的使用许可。尽管如此，为了充分披露，Genever (US) 和受托人（Trustee）打算在不久的将来提起一项对抗性诉讼（并提交相关的即决判决动议），以终止郭氏家族对该公寓的免租金使用。\n\n[本页其余部分有意留白。]\n\n据此，基于前述理由，动议人请求法院签署命令，批准本动议中请求的救济以及公正和适当的其他救济。\n\n日期：2023 年 2 月 7 日\n康涅狄格州纽黑文\n第 11 章受托人 LUC A. DESPINS、\nGENEVER HOLDINGS LLC 及\nGENEVER HOLDINGS CORPORATION\n\n签署人：/s/Douglas S. Skalka\nDouglas S. Skalka (ct00616)\nPatrick R. Linsey (ct29437)\nNEUBERT, PEPE & MONTEITH, P.C.\n195 Church Street, 13th Floor\nNew Haven, Connecticut 06510\n(203) 821-2000\ndskalka@npmlaw.com\nplinsey@npmlaw.com\n\n及\n\nNicholas A. Bassett (特许出庭律师)\nPAUL HASTINGS LLP（普衡律师事务所）\n2050 M Street NW\nWashington, D.C., 20036\n(202) 551-1902\nnicholasbassett@paulhastings.com\n\n及\n\nAvram E. Luft (特许出庭律师)\nG. Alexander Bongartz (特许出庭律师)\nPAUL HASTINGS LLP\n200 Park Avenue\nNew York, New York 10166\n(212) 318-6079\naviluft@paulhastings.com\nalexbongartz@paulhastings.com\n\n第 11 章受托人、Genever Holdings LLC 及 Genever Holdings Corporation 之代理律师\n\n案件编号 22-50073 文件 1446 提交于 02/07/23 登入于 02/07/23 18:03:31 第 10 页，共 14 页\n证物 A\n\n拟议裁定\nUNITED STATES BANKRUPTCY COURT（美国破产法院）\nDISTRICT OF CONNECTICUT（康涅狄格区）\nBRIDGEPORT DIVISION（布里奇波特分院）\n\nx\n关于：\nHO WAN KWOK（郭文贵）等，\n债务人。\n第 11 章\n案件编号 22-50073 (JAM)\n（合并审理）\n----------------------------------------------------------- x\n根据《破产法典》第 327、328 和 363 条，授权销售官及 SOTHEBY'S INTERNATIONAL REALTY 推介雪梨荷兰公寓出租的裁定\n\n鉴于 Luc Despins（以其在 Ho Wan Kwok（「个人债务人」）的第 11 章案件中被任命的第 11 章受托人（「受托人」）的身份）、Genever Holdings LLC（「Genever (US)」）及 Genever Holdings Corporation（「Genever (BVI)」，与受托人及 Genever (US) 合称「动议人」）提出动议（「本动议」），请求签署裁定（本「裁定」），授权销售官2及苏富比推介雪梨荷兰公寓出租；且法院已审阅本动议并于听证会（「听证会」）上考量了律师在法院前的陈述；且法院认定 (a) 根据 28 U.S.C. §§ 157 及 1334，法院对本案拥有管辖权；(b) 根据 28 U.S.C. § 157(b)，本案属于核心程序；(c) 根据 28 U.S.C. §§ 1408 及 1409，审判地正当；且 (d) 已对本动议给予充分且适当的通知；\n\n1 这些第 11 章案件中的债务人为 Ho Wan Kwok（又名郭文贵、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）及 Genever Holdings Corporation。受托人、Genever Holdings LLC 和 Genever Holdings Corporation 的邮寄地址为 Paul Hastings LLP, 200 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10166 转交 Ho Wan Kwok 破产财产受托人 Luc A. Despins（仅用于通知与沟通目的）。\n\n2 本文未另行定义的首字母大写术语应具有本动议中赋予它们的含义。\n\n且无需其他或进一步的通知；且法院认定并判定本动议中阐述的法律和事实依据确立了在此准予救济的正当理由；且本动议所请求的救济显属符合债务人破产财产及债权人的最佳利益；并且基于在法院进行的所有诉讼程序，经审慎考虑并显有充分理由，特此裁定：\n\n1. 本动议按本裁定所载予以批准。\n\n2. 尽管《和解协议》或《延期裁定》中有任何相反规定，销售官和苏富比获准推介雪梨荷兰公寓出租；但前提是：(a) 订立任何租赁协议须在发出通知并举行听证后经法院批准，(b) 包括但不限于 PAX 及 Bravo Luck 在内的所有利害关系方对批准此类协议提出异议的权利均予以保留，以及 (c) 本文中的任何内容均不修改、变更或取代雪梨荷兰及雪梨荷兰合作公寓董事会（Sherry-Netherland Co-Op Board，定义见《和解协议》）就任何此类租赁协议所享有的任何权利（包括批准权）。\n\n3. 为免生疑问，PAX 和 Bravo Luck 对推介雪梨荷兰公寓出租享有与它们根据《和解协议》（经《延期裁定》修改）对推介雪梨荷兰公寓出售所享有的相同程度的协商权（但无同意权）。\n\n4. 动议人获授权并被赋予权力采取一切必要行动以落实本裁定中准予的救济。\n\n5. 本裁定的条款和条件在签署登入后立即生效并具有执行力。\n\n6. 本法院对因执行、解释和强制执行本裁定而产生或与之相关的所有事项保留专属管辖权。\n\nUNITED STATES BANKRUPTCY COURT（美国破产法院）\nDISTRICT OF CONNECTICUT（康涅狄格区）\nBRIDGEPORT DIVISION（布里奇波特分院）\n\nx\n关于：\nHO WAN KWOK（郭文贵）等，\n债务人。\n第 11 章\n案件编号 22-50073 (JAM)\n（合并审理）\n----------------------------------------------------------- x\n送达证书\n\n下述签署人特此证明，于 2023 年 2 月 7 日，上述动议及其所有证物和附件已通过电子方式归档。此归档通知将通过法院电子归档（「CM/ECF」）系统的运行，以电子邮件形式发送给上述第 11 章案件的所有当事方，或按照电子归档通知上的指示，以邮寄方式发送给任何无法接受电子归档的人士。2 各当事方可通过法院的 CM/ECF 系统查阅此归档文件。\n\n日期：2023 年 2 月 7 日\n康涅狄格州纽黑文\n\n签署人：/s/Douglas S. Skalka\nDouglas S. Skalka (ct00616)\nNEUBERT, PEPE & MONTEITH, P.C.\n195 Church Street, 13th Floor\nNew Haven, Connecticut 06510\n(203) 821-2000\ndskalka@npmlaw.com\n\n1 这些第 11 章案件中的债务人为 Ho Wan Kwok（又名郭文贵、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）及 Genever Holdings Corporation。受托人、Genever Holdings LLC 和 Genever Holdings Corporation 的邮寄地址为 Paul Hastings LLP, 200 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10166 转交 Ho Wan Kwok 破产财产受托人 Luc A. Despins（仅用于通知与沟通目的）。\n\n2 在上述文件于正常营业时间之外提交的情况下，对无法或不具备资格接受电子通知的接收人的邮寄送达于下一个工作日进行。","key_entities":["Kwok","Ho Wan Kwok","Je","Guo","Despins","Paul Hastings","Miles Guo","Luc Despins","CIPA"],"ecf_references":[],"word_count":3570,"status":"published","published_at":"2023-02-07 00:00:00","created_at":"2023-02-07","updated_at":"2026-08-23 13:48:50"}