{"id":"court_ctb_2166_0","court":"CTB","case_no":"22-50073","doc_number":2166,"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| -----------------------------------------------------------<br>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## **REPLY IN SUPPORT OF EMERGENCY MOTION TO EXPEDITE HEARING ON MOTION OF CHAPTER 11 TRUSTEE, UNDER 11 U.S.C. §§ 105(A) AND 362, TO ENJOIN DEBTOR'S PROSECUTION OF MOTION IN CRIMINAL CASE FOR ORDER STAYING CHAPTER 11 CASES AND ASSOCIATED ADVERSARY PROCEEDINGS**\n\nLuc A. Despins, as chapter 11 trustee (the \"Trustee\") for the estate of Ho Wan Kwok (the \"Debtor\"), pursuant to Rule 9006(c)(1) of the Federal Rules of Bankruptcy Procedure (the \"Bankruptcy Rules\"), hereby submits this reply (the \"Reply\") in support of his *Emergency Motion to Expedite Hearing on Motion of Chapter 11 Trustee, Under 11 U.S.C. §§ 105(a) and 362, to Enjoin Debtor's Prosecution of Motion in Criminal Case for Order Staying Chapter 11 Cases and Associated Adversary Proceedings* [ECF No. 2161] (the \"Motion to Expedite\"), and in response to the Debtor's *Objection* thereto [ECF No. 2164] (the \"Objection\").\n\nThe Trustee has filed an amended version of his *Stay Violation Motion* [ECF No. 2165] confirming that the Stay Violation Motion applies to both the Stay Motion filed by the Debtor and the letter filed by Yanping Wang (\"Ms. Wang\") joining the Debtor's Stay Motion [Criminal Case\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\nECF No. 135] (the \"Joinder\"). The schedule for objection and argument requested in the Motion to Expedite remains appropriate. The Debtor is intimately familiar with proceedings in these chapter 11 cases. Moreover, one must assume that, before the Debtor filed his extensive Stay Motion, his counsel had already researched the legal issues that his motion plainly implicates. Therefore, the Debtor's statement that more time is needed rings hollow. The content of Ms. Wang's Joinder, and the fact that she is represented in the Criminal Case by the same law firm that represents the Debtor's daughter and HK International Funds Investments (USA) Limited, LLC in these chapter 11 cases, suggests that she is similarly up to speed.<sup>2</sup>\n\nThe Trustee's request that his Stay Violation Motion be heard and determined promptly is well founded. It is hardly novel to seek emergency relief to address a willful, ongoing violation of the automatic stay. It is imperative that this Court act swiftly to prevent the Trustee from being dragged into proceedings in the Debtor's Criminal Case, which threatens to waste the estate's resources and, more seriously, to imperil this Court's exclusive jurisdiction. 3 By seeking to abrogate this Court's exclusive jurisdiction in violation of the automatic stay *without any prior notice to the Trustee or this Court*, the Debtor (and now Ms. Wang) have created the very circumstances that necessitate expedited consideration of the Stay Violation Motion.\n\nThe Court should grant the Motion to Expedite and overrule the Debtor's Objection thereto.\n\n[*Remainder of page intentionally left blank.*]\n\n<sup>2</sup> In addition to serving appearing parties in these chapter 11 cases, on September 1, 2023, the Trustee also served criminal defense counsel for the Debtor and Ms. Wang (as they are identified on the certificate of service appended hereto) with the original Stay Violation Motion and the Motion to Expedite via email.\n\n<sup>3</sup> To preserve the estate's rights, on September 3, 2023, the Trustee submitted a letter to the Criminal Court (copying other appearing counsel). The Trustee's letter requested permission to respond to the Debtor's Stay Motion in the Criminal Case if this Court has not granted the Trustee's Stay Violation Motion by the Criminal Court's September 21 objection deadline. The Debtor further responded earlier today by filing a letter in the Criminal Case that, among other things, effectively welcomed the Trustee's involvement in the Criminal Case for the purpose of determining this Court's jurisdiction. The Debtor's strategy to abrogate this Court's exclusive jurisdiction and to foment illusory conflicts between the bankruptcy cases and criminal proceedings—all to prevent the Trustee from carrying out his duties—is as transparent as it is improper.\n\nNew Haven, Connecticut\n\nDated: September 4, 2023 LUC A. DESPINS, CHAPTER 11 TRUSTEE\n\nBy: */s/ Patrick R. Linsey*  Douglas 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*) 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*\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 September 4, 2023, the foregoing was electronically filed. Notice of this filing was sent by e-mail to all parties to the above-captioned chapter 11 cases eligible to receive electronic notice by operation of the Court's electronic filing (\"CM/ECF\") system, including the Debtor and the United States Trustee. Parties may access this filing through the Court's CM/ECF system.\n\nIn addition, undersigned counsel hereby certifies that on September 4, 2023, the foregoing was sent via electronic mail to counsel to the Debtor and Ms. Wang in the Criminal Case 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\nSidharda Kamaraju (skamaraju@pyrorcashman.com) Matthew S. Barkan (mbarkan@pyrorcashman.com) Daniel J. Pohlman (dpohlman@pyrorcashman.com) John M. Kilgard (jkilgard@pyrorcashman.com) Clare P. Tilton (ctilton@pyrorcashman.com) Pryor Cashman LLP 7 Times Square New York, NY 10036-6569\n\n*Counsel to the Debtor in the Criminal Case*\n\nEmil Bove (ebove@csglaw.com) Chiesa Shahinian & Giantomasi PC 11 Times Square, 34th Floor New York, NY 10036\n\n*and*\n\nAlex Lipman (alexlipman@lipmanpllc.com) Lipman Law PLLC 147 W. 25th St. 12th Fl New York, NY 10001\n\n*Counsel to Ms. Wang in the Criminal Case*\n\nDated: September 4, 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) 821-2000 plinsey@npmlaw.com","body_zh":"UNITED STATES BANKRUPTCY COURT DISTRICT OF CONNECTICUT BRIDGEPORT DIVISION（美国康涅狄格区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债务人。　:　（合并审理）\n\nx\n\n支持根据 11 U.S.C. §§ 105(A) 及 362 申请禁制债务人在刑事案件中推进旨在获取中止第 11 章案件及相关对抗性诉讼程序的裁定之动议的第 11 章受托人紧急加快听证动议的答辩状\n\nLuc A. Despins（卢克·A·德斯平斯），作为 Ho Wan Kwok（郭文贵，下称“债务人”）破产财产的第 11 章受托人（下称“受托人”），根据《联邦破产诉讼程序规则》（Federal Rules of Bankruptcy Procedure，下称“《破产规则》”）第 9006(c)(1) 条，特此提交本答辩状（下称“本答辩状”），以支持其《根据 11 U.S.C. §§ 105(a) 及 362 申请禁制债务人在刑事案件中推进旨在获取中止第 11 章案件及相关对抗性诉讼程序的裁定之动议的第 11 章受托人紧急加快听证动议》[ECF No. 2161]（下称“《加快动议》”），并回应债务人对此提出的异议 [ECF No. 2164]（下称“《异议》”）。\n\n受托人已提交其《违反自动中止动议》的修改版本 [ECF No. 2165]，确认该《违反自动中止动议》同时适用于债务人提交的《中止动议》以及 Yanping Wang（王雁平，下称“王女士”）提交的加入债务人《中止动议》的信函 [刑事案件\n\n1 这些第 11 章案件中的债务人为 Ho Wan Kwok（郭文贵，亦称为郭文贵、Miles Guo 及 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）及 Genever Holdings Corporation。受托人、Genever Holdings LLC 及 Genever Holdings Corporation 的邮寄地址为：Paul Hastings LLP, 200 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10166 转交 Luc A. Despins，作为 Ho Wan Kwok 破产财产受托人（仅用于接收通知和通信目的）。\n\nECF No. 135]（下称“《加入声明》”）。《加快动议》中请求的异议与辩论日程安排依然妥当。债务人对这些第 11 章案件中的各项诉讼程序了如指掌。此外，人们理应推断，在债务人提交其内容冗长的《中止动议》之前，其代理律师便已对其动议明显涉及的法律问题作过充分研究。因此，债务人所称需要更多时间的说法根本站不住脚。王女士的《加入声明》的内容，以及她在刑事案件中由在这些第 11 章案件中代表债务人之女及 HK International Funds Investments (USA) Limited, LLC 的同一家律师事务所代理的事实，均表明她同样掌握相关进度。2\n\n受托人关于其《违反自动中止动议》获得迅速听证与裁决的请求具有充分依据。寻求紧急救济以应对故意、持续违反自动中止的行为，绝非罕见之举。本法院必须迅速采取行动，以防止受托人被卷入债务人刑事案件的程序中，这不仅可能浪费破产财产资源，更严重的是会危及本法院的专属管辖权。3 债务人（以及现在的王女士）在未事先通知受托人或本法院的情况下，企图通过违反自动中止的方式废除本法院的专属管辖权，正是他们制造了必须加快审理该《违反自动中止动议》的局面。\n\n法院应当准予该《加快动议》，并驳回债务人对此提出的《异议》。\n\n[本页其余部分故意留白。]\n\n2 除了向这些第 11 章案件的出庭各方送达外，2023年9月1日，受托人还通过电子邮件向债务人及王女士的刑事辩护律师（即本文件后附送达证明中所列明的律师）送达了最初的《违反自动中止动议》和《加快动议》。\n\n3 为维护破产财产的权利，2023年9月3日，受托人向刑事法院提交了一封信函（抄送其他出庭律师）。受托人在信中请求，如果在本法院于刑事法院设定的9月21日异议截止日期前尚未准许受托人的《违反自动中止动议》，则允许其在刑事案件中对债务人的《中止动议》作出回应。债务人今天早些时候在刑事案件中进一步提交了一封信函作为回应，该信函除其他内容外，实际上欢迎受托人为了确定本法院管辖权而参与刑事案件。债务人企图废除本法院专属管辖权并在破产案件与刑事诉讼程序之间挑起虚幻冲突的策略——这一切全是为了阻碍受托人履行其职责——既昭然若揭又极不恰当。\n\n康涅狄格州纽黑文\n\n日期：2023年9月4日 LUC A. DESPINS，第 11 章受托人\n\n签署人：/s/ Patrick R. Linsey  Douglas 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以及\n\nNicholas A. Bassett（经特许出庭） PAUL HASTINGS LLP 2050 M Street NW Washington, D.C., 20036 (202) 551-1902 nicholasbassett@paulhastings.com\n\n以及\n\nAvram E. Luft（经特许出庭） G. Alexander Bongartz（经特许出庭） PAUL HASTINGS LLP 200 Park Avenue New York, New York 10166 (212) 318-6079 aviluft@paulhastings.com alexbongartz@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债务人。　:\n:　（合并审理）\n-----------------------------------------------------------　x\n送达证明\n\n下述签名人特此证明，2023年9月4日，上述文件已通过电子方式提交。本提交件的通知已通过电子邮件发送给上述标题下的第 11 章案件中所有有资格通过法院电子立案系统（“CM/ECF”）接收电子通知的各方当事人，包括债务人及美国联邦破产受托人（United States Trustee）。各方当事人可通过法院的 CM/ECF 系统查阅本提交件。\n\n此外，下述代理律师特此证明，2023年9月4日，上述文件已通过电子邮件发送给债务人及王女士在刑事案件中的代理律师，具体如下：\n\n1 这些第 11 章案件中的债务人为 Ho Wan Kwok（郭文贵，亦称为郭文贵、Miles Guo 及 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）及 Genever Holdings Corporation。受托人、Genever Holdings LLC 及 Genever Holdings Corporation 的邮寄地址为：Paul Hastings LLP, 200 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10166 转交 Luc A. Despins，作为 Ho Wan Kwok 破产财产受托人（仅用于接收通知和通信目的）。\n\nSidharda Kamaraju (skamaraju@pyrorcashman.com) Matthew S. Barkan (mbarkan@pyrorcashman.com) Daniel J. Pohlman (dpohlman@pyrorcashman.com) John M. Kilgard (jkilgard@pyrorcashman.com) Clare P. Tilton (ctilton@pyrorcashman.com) Pryor Cashman LLP 7 Times Square New York, NY 10036-6569\n\n债务人在刑事案件中的代理律师\n\nEmil Bove (ebove@csglaw.com) Chiesa Shahinian & Giantomasi PC 11 Times Square, 34th Floor New York, NY 10036\n\n以及\n\nAlex Lipman (alexlipman@lipmanpllc.com) Lipman Law PLLC 147 W. 25th St. 12th Fl New York, NY 10001\n\n王女士在刑事案件中的代理律师\n\n日期：2023年9月4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) 821-2000 plinsey@npmlaw.com","key_entities":["Kwok","Ho Wan Kwok","Je","Guo","Despins","Paul Hastings","Miles Guo","Kamaraju","Yanping Wang","Pryor Cashman"],"ecf_references":[{"doc_number":135,"court":"CTB"},{"doc_number":2161,"court":"CTB"},{"doc_number":2164,"court":"CTB"},{"doc_number":2165,"court":"CTB"}],"word_count":1256,"status":"published","published_at":null,"created_at":null,"updated_at":"2026-08-23 12:52:36"}