{"id":"court_ctb_1558_0","court":"CTB","case_no":"22-50073","doc_number":1558,"sub_number":0,"doc_type":"ORDER","filed_date":"2023-03-17","title":"UNITED STATES BANKRUPTCY COURT DISTRICT OF CONNECTICUT BRIDGEPORT DIVISION | -------------------------------------------","summary_zh":"延长费用申请提交期限之无异议动议 —— Ho Wan Kwok 破产案（郭文贵 / Guo Wengui / Miles Guo），CTB 22-50073 ECF #1558（2023-03-17立案）。第11章破产受托人卢克·A·德斯平斯提出无争议动议，请求将根据针对 HK Parties 及其律师的藐视法庭与制裁裁定提交费用申请的截止时间延长10天（从2023年3月24日延至2023年4月3日）。","summary_en":"Unopposed Motion to Extend Time to File Fee Application — In re Ho Wan Kwok (Miles Guo / Guo Wengui / 郭文贵), CTB 22-50073 ECF #1558 (filed 2023-03-17). Chapter 11 Trustee Luc A. Despins filed an unopposed motion requesting a 10-day extension, from March 24, 2023, to April 3, 2023, to submit his fee application pursuant to the contempt and sanctions order against the HK Parties and their counsel.","body_en":"### **UNITED STATES BANKRUPTCY COURT DISTRICT OF CONNECTICUT BRIDGEPORT DIVISION**\n\n| -----------------------------------------------------------<br>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### **CHAPTER 11 TRUSTEE'S UNOPPOSED MOTION PURSUANT TO BANKRUPTCY RULE 9006(b), FOR ENTRY OF ORDER EXTENDING TIME TO FILE FEE APPLICATION PURSUANT TO ORDER HOLDING HK PARTIES IN CONTEMPT OF COURT AND SANCTIONING HK PARTIES, ATTORNEY VARTAN AND CHIESA SHAHINIAN & GIANTOMASI PC**\n\nLuc A. Despins, in his capacity as the chapter 11 trustee (the \"Trustee\") appointed in the chapter 11 case of Ho Wan Kwok (the \"Debtor\"), files this motion (the \"Motion\"), pursuant to Rule 9006(b) of the Federal Rules of Bankruptcy Procedure (the \"Bankruptcy Rules\") and District of Connecticut Local Rule of Civil Procedure 7(b), requesting entry of an order, substantially in the form attached hereto as **Exhibit A** (the \"Proposed Order\"), extending by ten (10) days the time for the Trustee to file its fee application pursuant to the Court's *Order Holding HK Parties in Contempt of Court and Sanctioning HK Parties, Attorney Vartan and Chiesa Shahinian & Giantomasi PC* (the \"Contempt Order\") [Docket No. 1537]. Trustee's counsel inquired with counsel for HK International Funds Investments (USA) Limited, LLC and Mei Guo (together, collectively, the \"HK Parties\") in advance of filing this Motion and were advised that they do not\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 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\nobject to the relief sought herein. In support of this Motion, the Trustee respectfully states as follows.\n\n### **JURISDICTION, VENUE, AND STATUTORY BASES**\n\n1. The United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Connecticut (the \"Court\")\n\nhas jurisdiction over this matter pursuant to 28 U.S.C. §§ 157 and 1334 and the *Standing Order*\n\n*of Reference* from the United States District Court for the District of Connecticut (as amended).\n\nThis matter is a core proceeding within the meaning of 28 U.S.C. § 157(b)(2).\n\n- 2. Venue is proper pursuant to 28 U.S.C. §§ 1408(2) and 1409.\n- 3. The bases for the relief requested herein are Bankruptcy Rule 9006(b).\n\n## **RELIEF REQUESTED**\n\n4. By this Motion, the Trustee seeks a ten (10) day extension of the time to file the\n\nfee application contemplated by the Contempt Order (the \"Fee Application\") from March 24,\n\n2023, through and including April 3, 2023.\n\n# **BASIS FOR RELIEF REQUESTED**\n\n5. On November 10, 2022, the Court enter the Contempt Order, which among other things provides that:\n\n> Pursuant to Fed. R. Civ. P. 37(b)(2)(C), Ms. Guo, HK USA, Attorney Vartan, and Chiesa Shahinian & Giantomasi PC (\"CSG\") are jointly and severally liable and sanctioned, as compensatory damages, reasonable attorney's fees and costs associated with the Trustee's efforts to secure compliance with the Court-authorized Subpoenas from the preparation and prosecution Motion to Compel through and including the reasonable attorneys' fees and costs spent in relation to ongoing efforts to secure compliance, which reasonable attorneys' fees and costs shall be payable to the Chapter 11 estate of Ho Wan Kwok and be determined by the Court upon the fee application(s) of the Trustee, which application(s) are to be submitted on or before March 24, 2023.\n\n6. In order for the Trustee to prepare the Fee Application and to ensure that the Fee\n\nApplication only covers \"reasonable attorneys' fees and costs associated with the Trustee's\n\nefforts to secure compliance with the Court-authorized Subpoenas from the preparation and prosecution of the Motion to Compel through and including the reasonable attorneys' fees and costs spent in relation to ongoing efforts to secure compliance,\" Trustee's counsel needs to review thousands of time and cost entries spanning a period of approximately five months—*i.e.*, from October 2022 through the date of entry of the Contempt Order on March 10, 2023—and separate out the applicable time and cost entries to be covered in the Fee Application. While Trustee's counsel maintains, of course, a separate task code for the Trustee's investigation, this does not obviate the need for a review of all time and cost entries in that task code so as to identify those particular entries that relate to counsel's efforts to secure compliance with the Subpoenas.\n\n7. In light of the substantial amount of work entailed in conducting this review and preparing the Fee Application, the Trustee requests a modest 10-day extension of the March 24, 2023 deadline to submit the Fee Application.\n\n8. This is the Trustee's first request for an extension of the deadline to file the Fee Application.\n\n9. Prior to filing this Motion, Trustee's counsel inquired with counsel for the HK Parties and were advised that they do not object to the requested extension.\n\n[*Remainder of page intentionally left blank.*]\n\n3\n\nWHEREFORE, the Trustee respectfully requests entry of the Proposed Order (a) granting\n\nthe relief requested herein, and (b) granting such other relief as is just and proper.\n\nDated: March 17, 2023 LUC A. DESPINS,\n\nNew Haven, Connecticut CHAPTER 11 TRUSTEE\n\nBy: */s/ Patrick R. Linsey*\n\nDouglas S. Skalka (ct00616) Patrick R. Linsey (ct29437) NEUBERT, PEPE & MONTEITH, P.C. 195 Church Street, 13th Floor New Haven, Connecticut 06510 (203) 781-2847 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*) Douglass Barron (admitted *pro hac vice*) PAUL HASTINGS LLP 200 Park Avenue New York, New York 10166 (212) 318-6079 aviluft@paulhastings.com douglassbarron@paulhastings.com\n\n*Counsel for the Chapter 11 Trustee*\n\nCase 22-50073 Doc 1558 Filed 03/17/23 Entered 03/17/23 17:06:58 Page 5 of 8\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>:<br>Chapter 11              |  |\n| 1<br>HO WAN KWOK,<br>et al.,                                         | :<br>:<br>Case No. 22-50073 (JAM) |  |\n| Debtors.                                                             | :<br>:<br>(Jointly Administered)  |  |\n| ---------------------------------------------------------------      | x                                 |  |\n\n### **ORDER EXTENDING TIME TO FILE FEE APPLICATION PURSUANT TO ORDER HOLDING HK PARTIES IN CONTEMPT OF COURT AND SANCTIONING HK PARTIES, ATTORNEY VARTAN AND CHIESA SHAHINIAN & GIANTOMASI PC**\n\nUpon the motion (the \"Motion\")<sup>2</sup> of Luc A. Despins, in his capacity as the chapter 11 trustee (the \"Trustee\") appointed in the chapter 11 case of Ho Wan Kwok (the \"Debtor\") for entry of an order (this \"Order\"): (a) extending time to file the Fee Application and (b) granting related relief, all as more fully set forth in the Motion; and this Court having 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); and this Court having found that this is a core proceeding pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 157(b)(2); and this Court having found that venue of this proceeding and the Motion in this district is proper pursuant to 28 U.S.C. §§ 1408(2) and 1409; and this Court having found that the relief requested in the Motion is in the best interests of the estate, its creditors, and other parties in interest; and due and sufficient notice of the Motion having been given under the particular circumstances; and it appearing that no\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) and Genever Holdings Corporation. The mailing address for the Trustee and the Genever 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\n<sup>2</sup> Capitalized terms used but not otherwise defined herein have the meanings given to such terms in the Motion.\n\nother or further notice need be given; and upon all of the proceedings had before this Court; and any objections to the relief requested herein having been withdrawn or overruled on the merits; and after due deliberation and sufficient cause appearing therefor, it is hereby ORDERED THAT:\n\n1. The Motion is granted as set forth herein.\n\n2. The time by which the Trustee must file the Fee Application is extended until April 3, 2023.\n\n3. Entry of this Order is without prejudice to the Trustee's right to seek further extensions of the time within which to file the fee application.\n\n4. The Trustee is authorized to take all actions necessary to effectuate the relief granted in this Order in accordance with the Motion.\n\n5. 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| HO WAN KWOK 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 March 17, 2023, the foregoing Motion, and all declarations, exhibits and attachments thereto, was electronically filed. Notice of this filing was sent by e-mail 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. Parties may access this filing through the Court's CM/ECF system.\n\nDated: March 17, 2023 New Haven, Connecticut\n\nBy: */s/ Patrick R. Linsey*\n\nDouglas S. Skalka (ct00616) Patrick R. Linsey (ct29437) NEUBERT, PEPE & MONTEITH, P.C. 195 Church Street, 13th Floor New Haven, Connecticut 06510 (203) 781-2847 dskalka@npmlaw.com plinsey@npmlaw.com\n\n *Counsel for the Chapter 11 Trustee*","body_zh":"美国康涅狄格区破产法院 布里奇波特分部（United States Bankruptcy Court District of Connecticut Bridgeport Division）\n\nx\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:　合并审理\n\nx\n第 11 章受托人依据《破产规则》第 9006(b) 条提起的无异议动议，请求作出裁定，延长依据裁定 HK 各方藐视法庭并对 HK 各方、Vartan 律师及 Chiesa Shahinian & Giantomasi PC 予以制裁的裁定提交费用申请的期限\n\nLuc A. Despins 以在 Ho Wan Kwok（郭文贵，以下简称「债务人」）第 11 章破产案中指定的第 11 章受托人（以下简称「受托人」）的身份，依据《联邦破产程序规则》（Federal Rules of Bankruptcy Procedure，以下简称「《破产规则》」）第 9006(b) 条及《康涅狄格区民事诉讼地方规则》（District of Connecticut Local Rule of Civil Procedure）第 7(b) 条提起本动议（以下简称「本动议」），请求作出大体采取本动议附件 A（以下简称「拟议裁定」）形式的裁定，将受托人依据法院《裁定 HK 各方藐视法庭并对 HK 各方、Vartan 律师及 Chiesa Shahinian & Giantomasi PC 予以制裁的裁定》（以下简称「藐视法庭裁定」）[案卷编号 1537] 提交其费用申请的期限延长十（10）天。受托人的代理律师在提起本动议之前已向 HK International Funds Investments (USA) Limited, LLC 和 Mei Guo（郭美，合称「HK 各方」）的代理律师进行了问询，并获悉其并不\n\n1 本批第 11 章破产案件中的债务人为 Ho Wan Kwok（郭文贵，又名 Miles Guo、Miles Kwok 以及其他诸多化名）（纳税人识别号后四位：9595）、Genever Holdings LLC（纳税人识别号后四位：8202）和 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 c/o Luc A. Despins, as Trustee for the Estate of Ho Wan Kwok（仅用于通知与联络目的）。\n\n反对本动议所请求的救济。为支持本动议，受托人谨陈述如下：\n管辖权、审理地及法定依据\n\n1. 美国康涅狄格区破产法院（以下简称「本院」）依据 28 U.S.C. §§ 157 和 1334 以及美国康涅狄格区联邦地方法院（United States District Court for the District of Connecticut）的移送现行常设命令（经修正）对本事项拥有管辖权。本事项属于 28 U.S.C. § 157(b)(2) 含义内的核心程序。\n\n- 2. 依据 28 U.S.C. §§ 1408(2) 和 1409，本审理地适当。\n- 3. 本文所请求救济的依据为《破产规则》第 9006(b) 条。\n请求的救济\n\n4. 受托人通过本动议，请求将提交藐视法庭裁定所规定的费用申请（以下简称「费用申请」）的期限延长十（10）天，从 2023 年 3 月 24 日延长至 2023 年 4 月 3 日（含该日）。\n请求救济的依据\n\n5. 2022 年 11 月 10 日，本院作出了藐视法庭裁定，其中除其他规定外还规定：\n\n> 依据《联邦民事诉讼规则》第 37(b)(2)(C) 条，郭女士、HK USA、Vartan 律师以及 Chiesa Shahinian & Giantomasi PC（以下简称「CSG」）承担连带责任，并作为补偿性损害赔偿，受到制裁以支付与受托人自准备并提出强制执行动议起至持续为确保遵守而付出的努力止、为确保遵守法院授权传票而产生之合理律师费及支出，该等合理律师费及支出应支付予 Ho Wan Kwok 的第 11 章破产财团，并由本院根据受托人的费用申请予以确定，该等申请应于 2023 年 3 月 24 日或之前提交。\n\n6. 为了使受托人准备费用申请并确保费用申请仅涵盖「与受托人自准备并提出强制执行动议起至持续为确保遵守而付出的努力止、为确保遵守法院授权传票而产生之合理律师费及支出」，受托人的代理律师需要审查跨越约五个月时间段（即自 2022 年 10 月起至 2023 年 3 月 10 日藐视法庭裁定作出之日止）的数千条工时和费用记录，并分离出应纳入费用申请的适用工时和费用记录。尽管受托人的代理律师当然为受托人的调查保留了单独的任务代码，但这并不能免除对该任务代码下的所有工时和费用记录进行审查以识别与律师为确保遵守传票所作努力相关的特定记录的必要性。\n\n7. 鉴于开展该审查及准备费用申请所涉及的大量工作，受托人请求将提交费用申请的 2023 年 3 月 24 日截止期限适度延长 10 天。\n\n8. 这是受托人首次请求延长提交费用申请的截止期限。\n\n9. 在提起本动议之前，受托人的代理律师已向 HK 各方的代理律师进行了问询，并获悉其并不反对所请求的延期。\n\n[本页其余部分有意留白。]\n为此，受托人谨请求作出拟议裁定：(a) 批准本文所请求的救济，以及 (b) 给予公正且适当的其他救济。\n\n日期：2023 年 3 月 17 日 LUC A. DESPINS，\n\n康涅狄格州纽黑文 第 11 章受托人\n\n签署人：/s/ Patrick R. Linsey\n\nDouglas S. Skalka (ct00616) Patrick R. Linsey (ct29437) NEUBERT, PEPE & MONTEITH, P.C. 195 Church Street, 13th Floor New Haven, Connecticut 06510 (203) 781-2847 dskalka@npmlaw.com plinsey@npmlaw.com\n\n及\n\nNicholas A. Bassett（获准按特定案件出庭）PAUL HASTINGS LLP 2050 M Street NW Washington, D.C., 20036 (202) 551-1902 nicholasbassett@paulhastings.com\n\n及\n\nAvram E. Luft（获准按特定案件出庭）Douglass Barron（获准按特定案件出庭）PAUL HASTINGS LLP 200 Park Avenue New York, New York 10166 (212) 318-6079 aviluft@paulhastings.com douglassbarron@paulhastings.com\n\n第 11 章受托人的代理律师\n\n案件 22-50073 案卷 1558 提交于 03/17/23 录入于 03/17/23 17:06:58 第 5 页，共 8 页\n附件 A\n\n拟议裁定\n美国康涅狄格区破产法院 布里奇波特分部\n\nx\n\n关于：　:\n:\n第 11 章\n\nHO WAN KWOK（郭文贵）\n等，　:\n:\n案号 22-50073 (JAM)\n债务人。　:\n:\n（合并审理）\n---------------------------------------------------------------　x\n依据裁定 HK 各方藐视法庭并对 HK 各方、VARTAN 律师及 CHIESA SHAHINIAN & GIANTOMASI PC 予以制裁的裁定延长提交费用申请期限的裁定\n\n根据在 Ho Wan Kwok（郭文贵，以下简称「债务人」）第 11 章破产案中指定的第 11 章受托人（以下简称「受托人」）Luc A. Despins 请求作出裁定（以下简称「本裁定」）以：(a) 延长提交费用申请的期限及 (b) 给予相关救济的动议（以下简称「本动议」）2，且所有内容均已在本动议中予以详述；且本院依据 28 U.S.C. §§ 157 和 1334 以及美国康涅狄格区联邦地方法院的移送现行常设命令（经修正）对本事项拥有管辖权；且本院已认定依据 28 U.S.C. § 157(b)(2) 本程序属于核心程序；且本院已认定依据 28 U.S.C. §§ 1408(2) 和 1409 本程序及本动议在本区的审理地适当；且本院已认定本动议中请求的救济符合破产财团、其债权人及其他利害关系方的最大利益；且在具体情况下已就本动议给出了适当且充分的通知；且显见毋需\n\n1 本批第 11 章破产案件中的债务人为 Ho Wan Kwok（郭文贵，又名 Miles Guo、Miles Kwok 以及其他诸多化名）（纳税人识别号后四位：9595）和 Genever Holdings Corporation。受托人和 Genever 债务人的邮寄地址为：Paul Hastings LLP, 200 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10166 c/o Luc A. Despins, as Trustee for the Estate of Ho Wan Kwok（仅用于通知与联络目的）。\n\n2 本文中使用的但未另行定义的首字母大写术语具有本动议中赋予该等术语的含义。\n\n发出其他或进一步的通知；且根据在本院进行的所有诉讼程序；且对本文所请求救济的任何异议已被撤回或经实体审理予以驳回；并在经正当审议且显见有充分理由后，特此裁定如下：\n\n1. 本动议按本文所述予以批准。\n\n2. 受托人必须提交费用申请的期限延长至 2023 年 4 月 3 日。\n\n3. 作出本裁定不减损受托人进一步请求延长提交费用申请期限的权利。\n\n4. 授权受托人采取一切必要行动，以按照本动议落实本裁定所批准的救济。\n\n5. 本院保留对因执行、解释和强制执行本裁定而产生的或与之相关的所有事项的专属管辖权。\n美国康涅狄格区破产法院 布里奇波特分部\n\nx\n\n关于：　:\n:　第 11 章\nHO WAN KWOK（郭文贵）等，　:\n:\n:　案号 22-50073 (JAM)\n债务人。　:\n:　合并审理\n-----------------------------------------------------------　x\n送达证明书\n\n签署人特此证明，2023 年 3 月 17 日，上述动议及其所有声明书、附件和附录已进行电子提交。本提交的通知已通过本院电子提交（「CM/ECF」）系统的运行以电子邮件形式发送给上述第 11 章破产案件的所有当事方，或按电子提交通知上的说明以邮寄方式发送给无法接受电子提交的任何人。各当事方可通过本院的 CM/ECF 系统查阅本次提交文件。\n\n日期：2023 年 3 月 17 日 康涅狄格州纽黑文\n\n签署人：/s/ Patrick R. Linsey\n\nDouglas S. Skalka (ct00616) Patrick R. Linsey (ct29437) NEUBERT, PEPE & MONTEITH, P.C. 195 Church Street, 13th Floor New Haven, Connecticut 06510 (203) 781-2847 dskalka@npmlaw.com plinsey@npmlaw.com\n\n 第 11 章受托人的代理律师","key_entities":["Kwok","Ho Wan Kwok","Guo","Despins","Paul Hastings","Je","Miles Guo"],"ecf_references":[],"word_count":1736,"status":"published","published_at":"2023-03-17 00:00:00","created_at":"2023-03-17","updated_at":"2026-08-23 13:01:38"}