{"id":"court_ctb_1449_0","court":"CTB","case_no":"22-50073","doc_number":1449,"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>: | Chapter 11              |\n| HO WAN KWOK, et al.,                                   | :<br>: | Case No. 22-50073 (JAM) |\n| Debtors.1                                              | :<br>: | Jointly Administered    |\n| ------------------------------------------------------ | :<br>x |                         |\n\n## **AMENDED 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, including proofs of claim received by the Clerk's Office and proofs of claim which\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\ncontain confidential information; and (iii) provide such other administrative services, as directed, that would fall within the purview of services to be provided by the Clerk's Office; and upon the Mailloux Declaration; and it appearing that under the specific facts and circumstances of these cases that receiving, docketing and maintaining proofs of claim would be burdensome for the Clerk's Office; and under 28 U.S.C. §156(c), the Debtors have requested to utilize, at the Debtors' expense, outside agents and facilities to provide certain notices to parties in these 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 it appearing that the employment of Epiq is in the best interests of the Debtors and their estates,\n\n## IT IS HEREBY ORDERED THAT:\n\n1. The Application is approved as set forth in this Amended 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 applicable terms and conditions of the Services Agreement and this Amended Order.\n\n3. Epiq is authorized and directed to perform noticing services as directed by the Court, the Clerk of the Court, or the Trustee, and to receive, maintain, record, and otherwise administer all proofs of claim filed in these chapter 11 cases including proofs of claim containing confidential information, and all related tasksas described in the Application and provided in this Amended Order (the \"Claims and Noticing Services\"). Epiq shall only perform noticing services directed by the Court, the Clerk of Court, or the Trustee: (i) with respect to matters required to be served by the Trustee, Genever (BVI), and/or Genever (US) on all creditors; or (ii) as expressly\n\nauthorized by further order of this Court. Epiq shall file the according certificate of service no later than one (1) business days after the date of such service.\n\n4. Epiq shall eliminate all duplicate notice addresses in its service list. Service upon those parties that have filed a notice of appearance in these chapter 11 cases will be made through the Court's CM/ECF system. Every notice of electronic filing associated with a document filed in these chapter 11 cases (\"NEF\") is deemed to be a certificate of service pursuant to D. Conn. L.R. 5(c), and D.Conn. Bankr. L.R. 1001-1(b) and 9036-1(a)(3). Epiq shall have no obligation to serve such a document on any party who receives and has consented to electronic service of documents and shall not include or list any party in a certificate of service, which party received and has consented to electronic service of documents filed in these chapter 11 cases.\n\n5. Epiq shall serve to assist the Clerk of the Court as the custodian of court records and shall be assisting the Clerk of the Court who is 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 proof of claim, and to provide the Court or the Clerk of the Court with a certified duplicate Claims Register upon request, 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\n6. 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\n7. The Trustee, Genever (BVI), and Genever (US) are authorized to compensate Epiq for the Claims and Noticing Services in accordance with the applicable terms of the Services Agreement subject to court approval of any request for compensation.\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 applicable terms of 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 subject to court approval.\n\n11. The Trustee, Genever (BVI), and Genever (US) shall indemnify Epiq and other Indemnified Parties, as that term is defined in the applicable terms of the Services Agreement as modified pursuant to this Amended Order.\n\n12. The Indemnified Parties shall not be entitled to indemnification, contribution, or reimbursement pursuant to the applicable terms of the Services Agreement for services other than the Claims and Noticing Services as provided under the applicable terms of 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 applicable terms of 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 applicable 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 applicable terms of the Services Agreement (as modified by this Amended 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 approving 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 Amended Order, Epiq will immediately notify the Clerk of the Court 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 or to the Clerk of the Court with the advice and consent of the Clerk of the Court 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 is 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. 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\n19. 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\n20. In the event of any inconsistency between the applicable terms of the Services Agreement, the Application, and this Amended Order, the terms of this Amended Order shall govern.\n\n21. Notwithstanding any applicable 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 Amended Order.\n\nDated at Bridgeport, Connecticut this 8th day of February, 2023.\n\n![](_page_5_Picture_9.jpeg)","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\n------------------------------------------------------ x\n\n关于：\n第 11 章\nHO WAN KWOK（郭文贵）等，\n案号：22-50073 (JAM)\n债务人。1\n共同管辖\n\nx\n关于(I)批准自 2022年12月1日 起聘用并指定 EPIQ CORPORATE RESTRUCTURING, LLC 作为债权申报及通知代理人，以及(II)给予相关救济的修正裁定\n\n依据在 Ho Wan Kwok（个人债务人）第 11 章案件中获指定的第 11 章受托人（下称「受托人」）Luc Despins、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」）提起的申请（下称「《申请》」），请求依据 28 U.S.C. § 156(c) 及《破产法典》第 105(a) 条作出裁定（下称「本裁定」）：(a) 批准自 2022年12月1日 起在各债务人的第 11 章案件中聘用并指定 Epiq Corporate Restructuring, LLC（下称「Epiq」）作为债权申报及通知代理人；以及 (b) 由 Epiq（除其他事项外）(i) 向利害关系方送达所需通知，(ii) 接收、维护、登记并以其他方式管理在各债务人案件中提交的债权证明，包括书记官处接收的债权证明及包含保密信息的债权证明；以及 (iii) 按照指示提供属于书记官处应提供服务范围内的其他此类行政管理服务；并依据《Mailloux 声明》；且鉴于在这些案件的具体事实和情况下，接收、登记和维护债权证明对书记官处而言将是一项沉重负担；且依据 28 U.S.C. § 156(c)，各债务人已请求由债务人承担费用，利用外部代理人和设施向这些案件中的当事方提供特定通知，并接收、登记、维护、复印和传送债权证明；且本法院确信 Epiq 具备提供此类服务的能力与经验，且 Epiq 在其受聘处理的事项上不存在对各债务人或破产财团不利的利益；且聘用 Epiq 符合各债务人及其破产财团的最佳利益，\n特此裁定：\n\n1. 《申请》按本《修正裁定》所载予以批准。\n\n2. 授权动议人依据 28 U.S.C. § 156(c) 聘用 Epiq，并指定 Epiq 作为债权申报及通知代理人，自 2022年12月1日 起生效，受《服务协议》的适用条款与条件及本《修正裁定》管辖。\n\n3. 授权并指示 Epiq 按照法院、法院书记官或受托人的指示履行通知服务，并接收、维护、记录及以其他方式管理在这些第 11 章案件中提交的所有债权证明，包括含有保密信息的债权证明，以及《申请》中所述和本《修正裁定》所规定的所有相关任务（下称「债权申报及通知服务」）。Epiq 仅得在下列情况下履行法院、法院书记官或受托人指示的通知服务：(i) 涉及受托人、Genever (BVI) 和/或 Genever (US) 须向所有债权人送达的事项；或 (ii) 经本法院进一步裁定明确授权的事项。Epiq 应在此类送达之日起不迟于一（1）个工作日内提交相应的送达证明。\n\n4. Epiq 应在其送达名单中剔除所有重复的通知地址。对于在这些第 11 章案件中已提交出庭通知的当事方，送达将通过法院的 CM/ECF 系统进行。与在这些第 11 章案件中提交的文件相关联的每一份电子提交通知（下称「NEF」），依据 D. Conn. L.R. 5(c) 以及 D.Conn. Bankr. L.R. 1001-1(b) 和 9036-1(a)(3) 均被视为送达证明。对于接收并已同意以电子方式接收文件送达的任何当事方，Epiq 无义务向其送达此类文件，且不得在送达证明中包含或列入任何已接收并已同意以电子方式接收这些第 11 章案件中所提交文件的当事方。\n\n5. Epiq 应协助法院书记官担任法院记录保管人，并协助被指定为这些第 11 章案件中提交的所有债权证明之法定存储库的法院书记官，且获授权并被指示为每名债务人维护一份债权登记册、向公众提供查阅每一份债权证明的途径，并在收到请求时向法院或法院书记官提供经核证的债权登记册副本，所有上述事项均须遵守并符合《确立债权证明提交截止日期并批准其通知形式与方式的裁定》（下称《截止日裁定》）中关于保密债权证明（定义见《截止日裁定》）的保密限制以及可能由法院批准的任何其他保密限制。\n\n6. 授权并指示 Epiq 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\n7. 授权受托人、Genever (BVI) 及 Genever (US) 按照《服务协议》的适用条款向 Epiq 支付债权申报及通知服务的报酬，但任何报酬申请均须经法院批准。\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) 的法律顾问、Genever (US) 的法律顾问、受托人的法律顾问、监督债务人开支的官方委员会（如有）的法律顾问，以及明确要求送达月度发票的任何利害关系方送达月度发票。\n\n9. 各方应进行会商，以努力解决因《服务协议》适用条款或月度发票可能引起的任何争议；但如果在未能达成解决的情况下，各方可向法院寻求解决该事项。\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，须经法院批准。\n\n11. 受托人、Genever (BVI) 及 Genever (US) 应赔偿 Epiq 及其他受补偿方（定义见经本《修正裁定》修改后的《服务协议》适用条款）。\n\n12. 依据《服务协议》的适用条款，受补偿方无权就《服务协议》适用条款所规定的债权申报及通知服务以外的服务获得赔偿、补偿分摊或费用偿还，除非此类服务及其赔偿、补偿分摊或费用偿还获得法院批准。\n\n13. 尽管《服务协议》的适用条款中有任何相反规定，受托人、Genever (BVI) 及 Genever (US) 对因以下任一情形产生的任何索赔或开支，均无义务向 Epiq 进行赔偿，或向 Epiq 提供补偿分摊或费用偿还：(i) 经司法裁定（该裁定已成为终局裁定）认定系由于 Epiq 的重大过失、故意不当行为或欺诈所致；或 (ii) 在作出司法裁定之前达成和解，但经本法院在发出通知并举行听证后，认定为 Epiq 不应根据经本裁定修改的《服务协议》适用条款获得赔偿、补偿分摊或费用偿还的索赔或开支。\n\n14. 若在以下两者中较早发生者之前：(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上诉管辖的终局裁定），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) 及 Genever (US) 在《服务协议》（经本《修正裁定》修改）适用条款项下的赔偿、补偿分摊和/或费用偿还义务（包括但不限于垫付抗辩费用）而获得其支付的任何款项，Epiq 必须就此向法院提交申请，且在法院作出批准付款的裁定之前，受托人、Genever (BVI) 及 Genever (US) 不得向 Epiq 支付任何此类款项。本段仅旨在明确法院对 Epiq 就赔偿、补偿分摊或费用偿还提出的任何费用和开支申请享有管辖权的期间，而非限制受托人、Genever (BVI) 及 Genever (US) 赔偿 Epiq 之义务存续期限的条款。所有利害关系方均保留对 Epiq 提出的任何赔偿、补偿分摊或费用偿还请求提出异议的权利。\n\n15. 若 Epiq 无法提供本《修正裁定》所批准的债权申报及通知服务，Epiq 将立即通知法院书记官及动议人的法律顾问，并在获得法院批准后，经法院书记官和动议人法律顾问的建议与同意，将所有债权证明原件及计算机信息移交给另一家债权申报及通知代理人或法院书记官。\n\n16. Epiq 在实行其收取的费率调整前，应提前不少于十个工作日通知受托人、债务人、美国受托人以及任何官方委员会的法律顾问，并应向法院提交该通知。任何费率调整均须经法院批准。\n\n17. 对于由 Epiq 执行但未获本裁定特别授权的工作，债务人可依据 11 U.S.C. § 327 和/或任何适用法律单独提交聘用申请。\n\n18. 未经法院裁定，Epiq 在这些第 11 章案件期间不得以任何理由（包括未获付款）停止提供债权处理服务。\n\n19. 若这些第 11 章案件中的任何案件被转换为《破产法典》第 7 章项下的案件，获指定负责该案件或各案件的第 7 章受托人无义务为了任何目的继续聘用 Epiq。\n\n20. 若《服务协议》的适用条款、《申请》与本《修正裁定》之间存在任何不一致之处，应以本《修正裁定》的条款为准。\n\n21. 尽管《服务协议》中任何适用条款有相反规定，本法院对于因本《修正裁定》的实施、解释和执行而引起的或与之相关的所有事项保留专属管辖权。\n\n日期：2023年2月8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（郭文贵，亦称 Guo Wengui、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、Genever Holdings Corporation 的邮寄地址为：Paul Hastings LLP, 200 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10166 c/o Luc A. Despins, as Trustee for the Estate of Ho Wan Kwok（仅用于接收通知和联络之目的）。","key_entities":["Je","Kwok","Ho Wan Kwok","Guo","Despins","Miles Guo","Luc Despins","Paul Hastings"],"ecf_references":[],"word_count":1890,"status":"published","published_at":null,"created_at":null,"updated_at":"2026-08-23 13:01:09"}