{"id":"court_ctb_2241_0","court":"CTB","case_no":"22-50073","doc_number":2241,"sub_number":0,"doc_type":"ORDER","filed_date":null,"title":"UNITED STATES BANKRUPTCY COURT DISTRICT OF CONNECTICUT BRIDGEPORT DIVISION |                               | x |","summary_zh":null,"summary_en":null,"body_en":"## **UNITED STATES BANKRUPTCY COURT DISTRICT OF CONNECTICUT BRIDGEPORT DIVISION**\n\n|                               | x |                            |\n|-------------------------------|---|----------------------------|\n|                               | : |                            |\n| In<br>re:                     | : | Chapter<br>11              |\n|                               | : |                            |\n| HO<br>WAN KWOK,<br>et<br>al., | : | Case<br>No. 22-50073 (JAM) |\n|                               | : |                            |\n| Debtors.1                     | : | Jointly Administered       |\n|                               | : |                            |\n|                               |   | RE: ECF No. 2162           |\n\n## **ORDER GRANTING APPLICATION OF CHAPTER 11 TRUSTEE FOR ENTRY OF ORDER PURSUANT TO BANKRUPTCY CODE SECTIONS 327 AND 330, BANKRUPTCY RULES 2014 AND 2016 AND LOCAL BANKRUPTCY RULES 2014-1 AND 2016-1 AUTHORIZING AND APPROVING RETENTION AND APPOINTMENT OF KROLL, LLC AS FORENSIC INVESTIGATORS, EFFECTIVE AS OF AUGUST 2, 2023**\n\nUpon the Application of Chapter 11 Trustee Luc A. Despins (the \"Chapter 11 Trustee\") Luc Despins, in his capacity as the chapter 11 trustee (the \"Trustee\") appointed in the chapter 11 case of Ho Wan Kwok (the \"Debtor\"), for authority to retain and employ Kroll, LLC, as forensic investigators, effective as of August 2, 2023 (the \"Application\"), and upon the Declaration of Allen Pfeiffer (the \"Pfeiffer Declaration\"), pursuant to sections 327 and 330 of title 11 of the United States Code (the \"Bankruptcy Code\"), Rules 2014 and 2016 of the Federal Rules of Bankruptcy Procedure (the \"Bankruptcy Rules\"), and Rules 2014-1 and 2016-1 of the Local Rules of Bankruptcy Procedure for the United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Connecticut (the \"Local Bankruptcy Rules\"), all as more fully set forth in the Application and the Engagement\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\nLetter (as defined in the Application); and upon consideration of the Application and the Pfeiffer Declaration; and this Court having jurisdiction to consider the Application and the relief requested therein in accordance with 28 U.S.C. §§ 157 and 1334 and the Standing Order of Reference from the United States District Court for the District of Connecticut; and consideration of the Application and the relief requested therein being a core proceeding pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 157(b); and venue being proper in this Court pursuant to 28 U.S.C. §§ 1408 and 1409; and the Court having found that (i) the relief requested in the Application is in the best interest of the Debtor's estate, its creditors, and all parties-in-interest, (ii) the legal and factual bases set forth in the Application and the Pfeiffer Declaration, and upon the record of the hearing on the Application before this Court held September 27, 2023, establish just cause for the relief granted herein, (iii) Kroll is a \"disinterested person,\" as defined in section 101(14) of the Bankruptcy Code and as required by section 327(a) of the Bankruptcy Code, and (iv) Kroll does not hold or represent an interest adverse to the Debtor's estate; and due and sufficient notice of the Application having been given under the particular circumstances; and it appearing that no other 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 Application is granted as set forth herein.\n\n2. The Trustee is authorized to retain and employ Kroll as forensic investigators effective as of August 2, 2023 on the terms set forth in the Application, the Engagement Letter, and the Pfeiffer Declaration, and Kroll is authorized to act in such capacity.\n\n3. The Debtor's estate shall be responsible for Kroll's compensation and reimbursement of expenses as well as for the payment of any indemnification obligations as set\n\nforth in the Engagement Agreement, as modified pursuant to this Order, to the extent approved by the Court.\n\n4. The allowance of any compensation to be paid to Kroll shall be determined in accordance with the procedures set forth in sections 330 and 331 of the Bankruptcy Code, Bankruptcy Rule 2016, and Local Bankruptcy Rule 2016-1.\n\n5. Kroll shall be entitled to indemnification to the extent required under the terms of the Engagement Agreement, as modified pursuant to this Order, provided however, that any request for indemnification by Kroll shall be subject to review by the Court as set forth herein to ensure that payment of such indemnity conforms to the terms of the Engagement Agreement, as modified pursuant to this Order, and is reasonable under the circumstances of the litigation or settlement in respect of which indemnity is sought, provided further, that in no event shall Kroll be indemnified in the case of its own bad-faith, self-dealing, breach of fiduciary duty (if any), gross negligence, willful misconduct, or violation of the non-disclosure agreement.\n\n6. 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, Kroll believes that it is entitled to the payment of any amounts by the Trustee on account of the his indemnification obligations under the Engagement Agreement, as modified pursuant to this Order, Kroll must file an application therefor in the Court, and the Trustee may not pay any such amounts to Kroll before the entry of an order by this Court approving the payment. With respect to any amounts sought by Kroll as reimbursement for attorneys' fees and expenses in connection with the payment of an indemnity claim pursuant to the Engagement Agreement, as modified by this Order, the invoices and supporting time records for the attorneys' fees and expenses shall be included in Kroll's\n\napplication to the Court and these invoices and time records shall be subject to the Amended Guidelines and the approval of the Bankruptcy Court pursuant to sections 330 and 331 of the Bankruptcy Code without regard to whether such attorneys have been retained under section 327 of the Bankruptcy Code, and without regard to whether such attorneys' services satisfy section 330(a)(3)(C) of the Bankruptcy Code. 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 Kroll for indemnification, contribution, or reimbursement, and not a provision limiting the duration of the obligation to indemnify Kroll. All parties in interest shall retain the right to object to any demand by Kroll for indemnification, contribution, or reimbursement.\n\n7. Kroll shall not be entitled to reimbursement by the Trustee for any fees, disbursements and other charges of Kroll's counsel other than those incurred in connection with a request of Kroll for payment of indemnity approved by the Court.\n\n8. Kroll shall provide no less than ten business days' notice to the Trustee, the Debtor, the United States Trustee, and counsel to any official committee before any increases in the rates it charges are implemented and shall file such notice with the Court. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase in rates shall be subject to Court approval which approval shall be requested in the applicable application for compensation.\n\n9. To the extent the Application, the Engagement Letter, and the Pfeiffer Declaration are inconsistent with this Order, the terms of this Order shall govern.\n\n10. This Court shall retain 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 29th day of September, 2023.\n\n*Juli* **'L'Mr** *IN1.ning\\_ '/J11ite,{ S ptcy Judge 'lJistr t {cut*","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\nx\n\nIn re: : Chapter 11（第11章）\nHO WAN KWOK（郭文贵）, et al., : Case No. 22-50073 (JAM)\nDebtors.1（债务人）1 : Jointly Administered（合并审理）\n\nRE: ECF No. 2162\n依据《破产法典》第327条和第330条、《联邦破产诉讼程序规则》第2014条和第2016条以及《本地破产诉讼程序规则》第2014-1条和第2016-1条准予第11章受托人提出的作出授权并批准聘用及任命Kroll, LLC（科罗尔有限责任公司）担任法证调查员（自2023年8月2日起生效）之命令的申请的裁定\n\n鉴于第11章受托人Luc A. Despins（卢克·A·德斯平斯，简称“第11章受托人”）作为在Ho Wan Kwok（债务人）的第11章案件中被任命的第11章受托人（简称“受托人”），依据《美国法典》第11篇（简称《破产法典》）第327条和第330条、《联邦破产诉讼程序规则》（简称《破产规则》）第2014条和第2016条，以及《美国康涅狄格区联邦破产法院本地破产诉讼程序规则》（简称《本地破产规则》）第2014-1条和第2016-1条，申请授权聘用及雇用Kroll, LLC作为法证调查员（自2023年8月2日起生效）（简称“《申请》”），并依据Allen Pfeiffer（艾伦·菲弗）的声明（简称“《菲弗声明》”），所有这些内容均更详尽地载于《申请》和《聘用\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）（税务识别号后四位：9595）、Genever Holdings LLC（吉纳佛控股有限责任公司）（税务识别号后四位：8202）和Genever Holdings Corporation（吉纳佛控股公司）。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（普衡律师事务所，纽约州纽约市公园大道200号，邮编10166，转交郭文贵破产财产受托人卢克·A·德斯平斯）（仅用于通知和通讯目的）。\n\n协议》（定义见《申请》）；且在审阅了《申请》和《菲弗声明》之后；并且本法院根据《美国法典》第28篇第157条和第1334条以及United States District Court for the District of Connecticut（美国康涅狄格区联邦地方法院）的常规移送命令，具有审理《申请》及其中所请求救济的管辖权；且根据《美国法典》第28篇第157(b)条，审理《申请》及其中所请求救济属于核心程序；且根据《美国法典》第28篇第1408条和第1409条，本法院管辖地适当；并且法院经查明认定：(i) 《申请》中所请求的救济符合债务人破产财产、其债权人及所有利害关系方的最大利益，(ii) 《申请》和《菲弗声明》中陈述的法律和事实依据，以及本法院于2023年9月27日就《申请》举行的听证会记录，构成了作出本文所准予救济的正当理由，(iii) Kroll是《破产法典》第101(14)条所定义且符合《破产法典》第327(a)条要求的“无利害关系人”，以及 (iv) Kroll不持有也不代表与债务人破产财产存在冲突的利益；且在具体情况下已就《申请》发出了充分且适当的通知；且看来无需发出其他或进一步的通知；并在审查了本法院此前进行的所有程序后；且对本文所请求救济的任何异议已被撤回或在实体上被驳回；且经过慎重审议并出现充分理由后，特此命令：\n\n1. 《申请》按本文所述予以准予。\n\n2. 授权受托人按照《申请》、《聘用协议》和《菲弗声明》中规定的条款，自2023年8月2日起聘用及雇用Kroll作为法证调查员，并授权Kroll以该身份行事。\n\n3. 债务人的破产财产应在法院批准的范围内，负责支付Kroll的报酬和费用报销，以及支付《聘用协议》（经本命令修改）中所规定的\n\n任何赔偿义务。\n\n4. 拟支付给Kroll的任何报酬的核准，应依照《破产法典》第330条和第331条、《破产规则》第2016条以及《本地破产规则》第2016-1条中规定的程序确定。\n\n5. Kroll有权在《聘用协议》（经本命令修改）条款所要求的范围内获得赔偿，但前提是，Kroll提出的任何赔偿请求均应如本文所述接受本法院的审查，以确保此类赔偿金的支付符合《聘用协议》（经本命令修改）的条款，并且在寻求赔偿所涉的诉讼或和解情况下是合理的；再者，在Kroll自身存在恶意、自我交易、违反信义义务（如有）、重大过失、故意不当行为或违反保密协议的情况下，在任何情况下均不得对Kroll予以赔偿。\n\n6. 在(i) 本案作出确认这些第11章案件中的第11章计划的命令（该命令已成为不再受制于上诉的终审命令），或 (ii) 作出关闭这些第11章案件的命令（以两者中较早发生者为准）之前，如果Kroll认为其有权因受托人在《聘用协议》（经本命令修改）项下的赔偿义务而获得受托人支付的任何款项，Kroll必须就此向法院提出申请，且在本法院作出批准支付的命令之前，受托人不得向Kroll支付任何此类款项。关于Kroll根据《聘用协议》（经本命令修改）作为与支付赔偿请求相关的律师费及开支报销而寻求的任何金额，律师费及开支的发票和支持性工时记录应包含在Kroll向法院提交的\n\n申请中，且这些发票和工时记录应受《修订指引》的约束，并由破产法院依据《破产法典》第330条和第331条进行批准，而不论该等律师是否根据《破产法典》第327条被聘用，也不论该等律师的服务是否符合《破产法典》第330(a)(3)(C)条的规定。本段仅旨在明确法院对Kroll就赔偿、分摊或报销所提出的任何费用和开支请求享有管辖权的期限，而非限制赔偿Kroll之义务期限的条款。所有利害关系方均应保留对Kroll提出的任何赔偿、分摊或报销要求提出异议的权利。\n\n7. 除与经法院批准的Kroll赔偿金支付请求相关而产生的费用外，Kroll无权获得受托人对其律师的任何费用、垫付款项和其他收费的报销。\n\n8. Kroll在实施其收费费率的任何上调之前，应提前不少于十个工作日向受托人、债务人、United States Trustee（联邦破产受托人）以及任何官方委员会的律师发出通知，并应向法院提交该通知。尽管有上述规定，费率的任何上调均应经法院批准，该批准应在适用的报酬申请中提出请求。\n\n9. 如果《申请》、《聘用协议》和《菲弗声明》与本命令不一致，以本命令的条款为准。\n\n10. 本法院应就因本命令的执行、解释和实施而引起的或与其相关的所有事项保留管辖权。\n\n日期：2023年9月29日，于康涅狄格州布里奇波特。\n\nJulie A. Manning，美国康涅狄格区破产法院法官","key_entities":["Je","Kwok","Ho Wan Kwok","Despins","Guo","Miles Guo","Luc Despins","Paul Hastings"],"ecf_references":[{"doc_number":2162,"court":"CTB"}],"word_count":1336,"status":"published","published_at":null,"created_at":null,"updated_at":"2026-08-23 12:50:34"}