{"id":"court_ctb_2255_0","court":"CTB","case_no":"22-50073","doc_number":2255,"sub_number":0,"doc_type":"UNKNOWN","filed_date":null,"title":"| UNITED STATES BANKRUPTCY COURT | |--------------------------------|","summary_zh":null,"summary_en":null,"body_en":"| UNITED STATES BANKRUPTCY COURT |\n|--------------------------------|\n| DISTRICT OF CONNECTICUT |\n| BRIDGEPORT DIVISION |\n\n| | _______________________________________________ | | | | | | | |\n|----------------------------------------------------------------|---------------------------------------------------|-----------------------------|----------------------------------------------|-----------------------------------|--------------------------------|---------------------------------------------|--|--|\n| In re | | | | | : Chapter 11 | | | |\n| Ho Wan Kwok,
Debtor.1 | | | | :
: Case No. 22-50073
(JAM) | | | | |\n| | | | | : Jointly Administered | | | | |\n| | | | | | : | | | |\n| | ________________________________________________: | | | | : | | | |\n| | | FEE APPLICATION COVER SHEET | | | | | | |\n| Second | Interim/Final | Fee application of: | | | Pullman & Comley, LLC | | | |\n| Time Period:
From:
May 1, 2023
To:
August 31, 2023 | | | | | | | | |\n| | Bankruptcy Petition Filed: | February 15, 2022 | | | | | | |\n| | Date of Entry of Retention Order: | | April 29, 2022 | | effective as of March 29, 2022 | | | |\n| Amount Requested | | | | Reductions | | | | |\n| Fees: | \\$86,457.50 | | Voluntary Fee Reductions:
\\$0 | | | | | |\n| Expenses: | \\$1,751.60 | | Expenses:
\\$0 | | | | | |\n| Total: | \\$86,457.50 | | | | | | | |\n| Retainer Request: | | Expense
Detail: | | | | | | |\n| Retainer Received
__N/A___ | | | | Retainer Received | | ___N/A_______ | | |\n| Prior award applied
__N/A___ | | | Prior award applied
___N/A_______ | | | | | |\n| Balance before this request
__N/A___ | | | Balance before this request
___N/A_______ | | | | | |\n| | | | | | | Copies per page cost and total___N/A_______ | | |\n\n1 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#### **Hours and Rates per professional:**\n\n| Hours 65.7 | Rate | \\$580 | Irve J. Goldman |\n|------------|------|-------|--------------------|\n| Hours 55.7 | Rate | \\$575 | Kristin B. Mayhew |\n| Hours 37.1 | Rate | \\$440 | Jonathan A. Kaplan |\n\n### **UNITED STATES BANKRUPTCY COURT DISTRICT OF CONNECTICUT BRIDGEPORT DIVISION**\n\n| _______________________________________________
In re | : Chapter 11 |\n|----------------------------------------------------------|---------------------|\n| | : |\n| Ho Wan Kwok, | : Case No. 22-50073 |\n| Debtor. | :
: |\n| | : |\n| ________________________________________________: | |\n\n### **SECOND INTERIM APPLICATION OF PULLMAN & COMLEY, LLC, CONNECTICUT COUNSEL TO THE OFFICIAL COMMITTEE OF UNSECURED CREDITORS, FOR COMPENSATION FOR SERVICES RENDERED AND REIMBURSEMENT OF EXPENSES INCURRED FOR THE PERIOD FROM MAY 1, 2023 THROUGH AUGUST 31, 2023**\n\n| Name
of Applicant: | Pullman
& Comley, LLC |\n|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-----------------------------------------------------|\n| Authorized to provide
professional services to: | The Official
Committee of Unsecured Creditors |\n| Date of Retention: | April 29, 2022
effective as of
March 29, 2022 |\n| Period for which compensation
and reimbursement is sought: | May
1, 2023
through
August 31, 2023 |\n| Amount of Compensation sought
as actual,
reasonable and necessary: | \\$_86,457.50_______ |\n| Amount of Expense Reimbursement
sought as actual, reasonable
and
necessary: | \\$1,751.60________ |\n| Voluntary Reductions: | \\$0.00 |\n|
This is a(n):
Interim
Final application | |\n\n-3-\n\n### **PRIOR APPLICATION HISTORY**\n\n| | | | Requested | | Monthly | Statements | Certificate |\n|------------------|------------|------------------------|--------------|----------|-------------|------------|-----------------------------------|\n| Appl
ication | Date Filed | Period
Covered | Fees
100% | Expenses | Fees
80% | Expenses | of No Objection /
Signed Order |\n| First
Interim | 6/20/23 | 3/29/2022-
4/30/23 | \\$504,742.00 | \\$709.53 | \\$12,226.88 | \\$0.00 | July 20, 2023 |\n| Fee
Statement | 9/20/23 | 8/1/2023-
8/31/2023 | 19,104.50 | -0- | 15,283.60 | \\$0.00 | N/A |\n\n### **SUMMARY OF PROFESSIONALS AND PARAPROFESSIONALS RENDERING SERVICES FROM MAY 1, 2023 THROUGH AUGUST 31, 2023**\n\n| | Year | | Hours | | |\n|------------------------|----------|--------------------|--------|-------|-------------|\n| Timekeeper Name | Admitted | Title/Department | Worked | Rate | Bill Amount |\n| | | Partner/Litigation | | | |\n| Goldman, Irve J. | 1989 | and Bankruptcy | 65.7 | \\$580 | \\$38,106.00 |\n| | | Partner/Litigation | | | |\n| Kaplan, Jonathan
A. | 2005 | and Bankruptcy | 37.1 | \\$440 | 16,324.00 |\n| | | Partner/Litigation | | | |\n| Mayhew, Kristin B. | 1999 | and Bankruptcy | 55.7 | \\$575 | \\$32,027.50 |\n| | | | | | |\n| TOTAL ALL TIMEKEEPERS | | | | | \\$86,457.50 |\n| | | | | | |\n| Attorney Blended Rate | | | | | \\$531 |\n\n# **SUMMARY OF COMPENSATION BY PROJECT CATEGORY FOR THE PERIOD OF MAY 1, 2023 THROUGH AUGUST 31, 2023**\n\n| Task
Number | Task Description | Hours | Total |\n|----------------|----------------------------------------------|-------|-------------|\n| 1 | Case Administration | 40.2 | 21,786.50 |\n| 2 | Meetings and
Communication with Creditors | 1.9 | 836.00 |\n| 3 | Fee/Employment Applications | 40.9 | 22,753.00 |\n| 4 | DIP Financing | 1.5 | 741.00 |\n| 5 | Asset Analysis and Recovery | 74.0 | 40,341.00 |\n| | Total Fees Rendered This Statement | | \\$86,457.50 |\n\n### **EXPENSE SUMMARY FOR THE PERIOD OF MAY 1, 2023 THROUGH AUGUST 31, 2023**\n\n| Express Mail | -0- |\n|------------------------------|------------|\n| External Phone Charges | -0- |\n| Copies | 1,738.50 |\n| Travel and related expenses | 13.10 |\n| Business Lunch | -0- |\n| Certificate of Good Standing | -0- |\n| Total Disbursements | \\$1,751.60 |\n\n### **UNITED STATES BANKRUPTCY COURT DISTRICT OF CONNECTICUT BRIDGEPORT DIVISION**\n\nDebtor.1\n\n\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\n\n\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_:\n\nIn re : Chapter 11 Ho Wan Kwok, : Case No. 22-50073\n\n:\n\n:\n\n: :\n\n## **SECOND INTERIM APPLICATION OF PULLMAN & COMLEY, LLC, AS COUNSEL TO THE OFFICIAL COMMITTEE OF UNSECURED CREDITORS FOR COMPENSATION FOR SERVICES RENDERED AND REIMBURSEMENT OF EXPENSES INCURRED FOR THE PERIOD FROM MAY 1, 2023 THROUGH AUGUST 31, 2023**\n\nPursuant to 11 U.S.C. §§ 330 and 331, Rule 2016(a) of the Federal Rules of Bankruptcy Procedure, Local Bankruptcy Rule 2016-1, Pullman & Comley, LLC (\"P&C\"), as counsel to the Official Committee of Unsecured Creditors in the Debtor's Chapter 11 Case (the \"Committee\"), appointed in the chapter 11 case of the Debtor, Ho Wan Kwok (the \"Debtor\"), submits its second interim application (the \"Application\") for allowance of compensation and reimbursement of expenses for the period of May 1, 2023 through August 31, 2023 (the \"Fee Period\"). By this Application, P&C seeks an interim allowance of compensation in the amount of \\$86,457.50 and expense reimbursement in the amount of \\$1,751.60. In support of this Application, P&C respectfully states as follows:\n\n1 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#### **BACKGROUND**\n\n1. On February 15, 2022 (the \"Petition Date\"), the Debtor filed a voluntary petition for relief under Chapter 11 of Title 11 of the United States Code (the \"Bankruptcy Code\") in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Connecticut, thereby commencing this Chapter 11 case (the \"Chapter 11 Case\").\n\n2. The Debtor remained a debtor in possession under sections 1101(1) and 1106(a) until a chapter 11 trustee, Luc A. Despins (the \"Trustee\"), was appointed by the United States trustee (\"UST\") on July 7, 2022 and approved by the Court on July 8, 2022.\n\n3. On March 21, 2022, the UST appointed the Committee pursuant to section 1102(a)(1) of the Bankruptcy Code.\n\n4. Shortly after its appointment, the Committee selected P&C as its counsel and on April 5, 2022, filed its Application to Employ Pullman & Comely, LLC as Counsel to the Official Committee of Unsecured Creditors.\n\n5. On April 29, 2022, the Court entered the *Order Authorizing Retention and Employment of Pullman & Comley, LLC as Counsel for the Official Committee of Unsecured Creditors*, which was made effective as of March 29, 2022 (\"Retention Order\"). The Retention Order authorizes P&C to be compensated in accordance with the procedures set forth in 11 U.S.C. §§ 330 and 331, the applicable Federal Rules of Bankruptcy Procedure, the rules of this Court and any Order entered by this Court with respect to the compensation of professionals.\n\n6. Through the Application, P&C seeks allowance of compensation for professional services rendered for and on behalf of the Committee during the Fee Period. A detailed description of services rendered during the Fee Period in the form of P&C's monthly invoices, which also contain the disbursements it incurred in connection with the rendition of P&C's services, is annexed hereto as Exhibit \"A**\"**.\n\n- 2 -\n\n#### **BRIEF CASE HISTORY**\n\n7. The Debtor commenced the Chapter 11 Case one day before the date by which he was ordered to pay a \\$134,000,000 contempt fine (the \"Contempt Order\") to Pacific Alliance Asia Opportunity Fund, L.P. (\"PAX\") in the action, PAX v. Kwok, Index No. 652077/2017, pending in New York Supreme Court (the \"New York Action\").\n\n8. Give the long-standing and acrimonious litigation history between PAX and the Debtor, on March 1, 2022 PAX promptly moved for relief from the automatic stay to return to the New York Action for purposes of enforcing the Contempt Order (the \"PAX Lift Stay Motion\").\n\n9. On March 19, 2022, the UST filed a Motion for Order Directing Appointment of an Examiner, or in the Alternative, Motion for Order Directing the Appointment of a Chapter 11 Trustee (\"UST 1104 Motion\").\n\n10. On April 6, 2022, PAX filed a Motion to Dismiss Chapter 11 Case or, in the Alternative, Partial Joinder to United States Trustee's Motion for Order Directing the Appointment of a Chapter 11 Trustee (\"PAX Motion to Dismiss\").\n\n11. While the UST 1104 Motion and PAX Motion to Dismiss remained pending, the PAX Lift Stay Motion was resolved by a Stipulated Order Compelling HK International Funds Investments (USA) Limited, LLC to Transport and Deliver That Certain Yacht, The \"Lady May,\" entered on April 29, 2022. The focus of the Chapter 11 Case then turned to whether it should be dismissed, which was the principal form of relief requested in the PAX Motion to Dismiss, or converted, or whether a Chapter 11 trustee should be appointed. The Committee was the principal party opposing the PAX Motion to Dismiss, which was scheduled for an evidentiary hearing on May 25, 2022.\n\n12. Prior to and while pretrial proceedings relating to the PAX Motion to Dismiss were proceeding, the parties and the Court were dealing with a number of early case motions filed by the Debtor and opposed by the Committee or other parties in interest, in whole or in part, including (i) applications to retain Brown Rudnick LLP as Debtor's counsel, Verdolino & Lowey, P.C. as Debtor's financial advisor, and Stretto, Inc. as its claims and noticing agent (all filed on March 16, 2022), (ii) Debtor's for Entry of an Order Authorizing (I) Employment and Payment of Professionals Utilized in the Ordinary Course, (II) Payment of Prepetition Claims, and (III) Granting Related Relief, filed on March 22, 2022 (the \"OCP Motion\"), and (iii) Debtor's Motion for Entry of Interim and Final DIP Orders (I) Authorizing the Debtor to Obtain Unsecured, Subordinated Postpetition Financing and (II) Scheduling Interim and Final Hearings, and (III) Granting Related Relief, filed on March 22, 2022 (the \"DIP Motion\"), which proposed an \\$8 million unsecured, subordinated loan to the estate, \\$4 million of which would be dedicated to payment of professional fees of the Committee and/or and examiner to conduct an investigation into the Debtor's assets and financial affairs.\n\n12. While the Committee was able to negotiate further concessions from the proposed DIP lender, Golden Spring (New York) Ltd. (\"Golden Spring\"), including preservation of alter ego claims against Golden Spring notwithstanding its proposed financing, the Court was having reservations with the proposed loan and was proceeding incrementally by requiring fee budgets from the parties for more defined periods of time and scheduled a hearing on the DIP Motion and other matters, including the applications to retain Brown Rudnick and Verdolino & Lowey, for April 27, 2022. At that hearing, the DIP Motion was continued for hearing on May 4, 2022, after which the Court took the matter under advisement.\n\n- 4 -\n\n13. On May 11, 2022, however, before the Court could issue its decision on the DIP Motion, the Debtor filed a Consent to the Dismissal of the Chapter 11 Case and a Notice of Withdrawal of the DIP Motion.\n\n14. The Committee vigorously opposed the PAX Motion to Dismiss, which was the subject of an evidentiary hearing on May 25, 2022 after substantial briefing by the parties, exchange of trial exhibits and other pretrial proceedings. On June 15, 2022, the Court issued its Memorandum of Decision and Order Denying Motion to Dismiss Without Prejudice and Granting Joinder to Motion for Appointment of Chapter 11 Trustee.\n\n13. On July 7, 2022, the UST appointed the Trustee as the chapter 11 trustee of the Debtor's estate and his appointment was approved by the Court on July 8, 2022.\n\n14. Litigation almost immediately ensued by the Debtor's filing of an objection to the Trustee's appointment, a motion for relief from the order appointing the Trustee, and an objection to the Trustee's application to retain his firm, Paul Hastings LLP, as his counsel. All of these attempts by the Debtor to oust the Trustee2 and prevent his retention of counsel were denied by the Court by orders entered on August 2, 2022.\n\n15. Since the Trustee's appointment, the Committee has taken a supportive role in the administration of the Chapter 11 Case, consulting with the Trustee as necessary in the administration of the Chapter 11 Case, 11 U.S.C. § 1103(a)(1), and serving a \"watchdog\" function. *See e.g. In re Commercial Mortgage and Finance Co.*, 414 B.R. 389, 400 (Bankr. N.D. Ill. 2009) (recognizing that \"creditor committees often serve a 'watchdog' function\").\n\n#### **SUMMARY OF SERVICES BY PROJECT CATEGORY**\n\n16. The services rendered by P&C during the Fee Period are itemized as set forth in Exhibit \"A\" and summarized by project category as follows:\n\n2 The Debtor later filed a motion to remove the Trustee on December 30, 2022, which was opposed by the Committee and, of course, the Trustee, and was withdrawn by the Debtor on April 5, 2023.\n\n#### A. Case Administration: Fees: \\$21,786.50 Hours: 40.20\n\n17. Among the myriad services performed by the Committee in this project category were reviewing pleadings, other papers and court orders or decisions, attending any court hearings, and engaging in discussions with the Trustee or his counsel, relating to the following contested matters, adversary proceedings: the Trustee's motion to approve a settlement of prepetition litigation against the Debtor's former counsel, Clark Hill PLC, the Trustee's motion to hold HK USA and Mei Guo in contempt for failing to comply with Rule 2004 subpoenas and their motion for a stay pending appeal of the Court's contempt ruling against them, the Trustee's motion to compel compliance with subpoenas served on Debtor-related companies GTV Media Group, Saraca Media Group and GTV Operations, and the objections thereto, the objections of the Debtor and other parties to the Trustee's omnibus Rule 2004 motions, the Trustee's objections to the claim of Bravo Luck, the Trustee's motion to hold Hudson Diamond in contempt, the motion of Zeisler & Zeisler to withdraw as counsel for Hudson Diamond, US Bank's interpleader action seeking to interplead \\$37 million in escrow funds, the Trustee's motion for approval of a settlement with the assignor for HCHK Technologies, the Trustee's motion for approval of the sale of the Lady May, the Trustee's papers seeking to enjoin cancellation of the insurance coverage for the Debtor's Sherry Netherland apartment, the Court's decision holding the Debtor in contempt and the Debtor's notice of appeal and motion for stay pending appeal, the Trustee's adversary proceeding to determine the mansion in Mahwah, New Jersey property of the estate and his papers seeking injunctive relief with respect to certain activity and permitted presence at the mansion, and the Debtor's motion to stay the bankruptcy case filed in the pending criminal action against him in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York.\n\n- 6 -\n\n### B. Communications with Creditors3 Fees: \\$836.00 Hours: 1.9\n\n18. Services within this project category included telephone conferences and email communications with members of the Committee concerning the sale process for the sale of the Lady May and its conclusion, the Court's decision holding HK USA to be the alter ego of the Debtor, the fee applications of professionals, the US Bank interpleader action, the HCHK Technologies assignment for the benefit of creditors proceeding, the proceedings relating the Mahwah mansion, and the Trustee's proposed DIP loan for the benefit of preserving the Sherry Netherland apartment.\n\n#### C. Fee and Employment Applications Fees: \\$22,753.00 Hours: 40.9\n\n19. Services included within this project category included reviewing and reporting to the Committee on the first interim fee applications of the Trustee's professionals, preparing a limited objection to the first interim fee application of Paul Hastings and resolving the objection with the Trustee prior to its filing, attending the hearing on the first interim fee applications of the Trustee's professionals, reviewing the underlying invoices and preparing a first interim fee application for P&C as counsel to the Committee and attending the hearing thereon, reviewing and making comments to the Trustee's motion to establish interim fee procedures and attending the hearing thereon, and reviewing the Trustee's applications to retain maritime counsel and substitute insurance litigation counsel.\n\n#### D. DIP Motion Fees: \\$741.00 Hours: 1.5\n\n20. Services in this project category included reviewing the Trustee's motion for approval of a DIP loan from the Debtor's estate to the Genever Holdings estate for payment of repairs and preservation expenses of the Sherry Netherland apartment and apprising the Committee regarding the motion.\n\n3 Most of the time entries which included communications with creditors and the Committee are contained within the project category, Case Administration.\n\n#### E. Asset Analysis and Recovery Fees: \\$40,341.00 Hours: 74.00\n\n21. Services in this project category included reviewing the Trustee's motion to settle the Debtor's prepetition litigation with his former counsel, Clark Hill PLC, and attending the hearing thereon, engaging in discussions with the Trustee and his counsel and PAX and its counsel concerning offers made and the sale process and procedures to be followed for sale of the Lady May, reviewing the purchase and sale agreement for the sale of the Lady May, the Trustee's motion for approval of the sale and the various objections filed thereto and attending the hearing on the sale motion, engaging with the Trustee concerning and reviewing the adversary proceeding he commenced to declare HCHK Technologies, Inc., HCHK Property Management, Inc. and Lexington Property and Staffing, Inc. (collectively, the \"HCHK Entities\") to be alter egos of or equitably owned by the Debtor and the Trustee's application for a preliminary injunction and temporary restraining order filed therein, reviewing and attending the hearing on the Trustee's motion to approve a settlement with the state court assignor of the HCHK Entities and the objections of purported creditors of the HCHK Entities, reviewing the Trustee's motion for summary judgment and supporting and opposing papers in the Trustee's adversary proceeding seeking to declare HK International Funds Investments (USA) Limited, LLC (\"HK\") to be the alter ego of the Debtor and attending oral argument on the motion, considering and engaging in discussions with the Trustee concerning the motion of HK for a stay pending its appeal of the Court's alter ego ruling against it and HK's motion for a stay pending appeal of the Court's ruling approving the sale of the Lady May, reviewing and considering the proposed consent order for the release by US Bank of the \\$37 million in escrow funds, engaging in discussions with the Trustee and attorneys for PAX concerning the Trustee's settlement negotiations with Bravo Luck for the settlement of the Trustee's adversary proceeding to declare the Sherry Netherland apartment and the Debtor's 100% membership interest in the title owner\n\n- 8 -\n\nto be property of the estates, and attending the hearing on the proposed settlement, and reviewing and engaging in discussions concerning the Trustee's adversary proceeding against the Taurus Fund to recover the Mahwah, New Jersey mansion for the Debtor's estate and the injunctive relief sought therein.\n\n#### **DISBURSEMENTS**\n\n24. P&C incurred reasonable and necessary out-of-pocket expenses in the sum of \\$1,751.60 in connection with rendering legal services to the Committee during the Fee Period. These disbursements consisted of necessary filing fees and were necessary to effectively render legal services in these cases.\n\n#### **VALUATION OF SERVICES & RELIEF REQUESTED**\n\n25. Attorneys and paraprofessionals employed by P&C have expended a total of 158.5 hours in connection with this matter during the Fee Period detailed below. The nature of the work performed by these persons is fully set forth in the detail attached hereto as Exhibit \"A\". The hourly rates set forth above were P&C's current hourly rates for work of this nature at the time the services were rendered. The reasonable value of the services rendered by P&C for the Fee Period as counsel to the Committee is \\$86,457.50.\n\n26. In accordance with the factors enumerated in section 330 of the Bankruptcy Code, the amount requested is fair and reasonable given (a) the complexity of these Chapter 11 Cases, (b) the time expended, (c) the nature and extent of the services rendered, (d) the value of such services, and (e) the cost of comparable services other than in a case under this title.\n\n27. This is P&C's second interim application. P&C has received no payment and no promises for payment from any source for services rendered or to be rendered in any capacity whatsoever in connection with these cases, and there is no agreement or understanding between P&C and any other person, other than members of P&C, for the sharing of compensation to be\n\n- 9 -\n\nreceived for services rendered in these cases. No prior application has been made to this or any other Court for this Fee Period or for the allowance of fees and disbursements sought herein. This Application covers the period of May 1, 2023 to August 31, 2023. P&C has and will continue to perform additional necessary services subsequent to August 31, 2023, for which P&C will file subsequent fee applications.\n\n28. Annexed hereto as Exhibit \"B\", and made part hereof, is a Certification of Irve J. Goldman, Esq, a member of P&C, submitted pursuant to section 504 of the Bankruptcy Code.\n\n**WHEREFORE**, P&C respectfully requests the Court enter an order, substantially in the form attached hereto, providing: (a) that an interim allowance be made to P&C for the period from May 1, 2023 to August 31, 2023 in the amount of (i) \\$86,457.50 as compensation for necessary professional services rendered, and (ii) \\$1,751.60 for actual and necessary expenses incurred, for a total of \\$88,209.10; (b) that the Trustee be authorized and directed to pay P&C the outstanding amount of such sums; and (c) for such other and further relief as may be just and proper.\n\nDated: Bridgeport, Connecticut\n\nOctober 16, 2023 Respectfully submitted,\n\n### **PULLMAN & COMLEY, LLC**\n\n*/s/Irve J. Goldman* Irve J. Goldman, Esq. (ct02404) 850 Main Street, 8th Floor P.O. Box 7006 Bridgeport, CT 06601-7006 Telephone: (203) 330-2213 Facsimile: (203) 576-8888 E-mail: [jgoldman@pullman.com](mailto:jgoldman@pullman.com)\n\n*Counsel to the Official Committee of Unsecured Creditors*","body_zh":"美国破产法院\n\n康涅狄格联邦地区\n布里奇波特分院\n\n关于：第 11 章\nHo Wan Kwok（郭文贵），\n债务人。1：\n：案号 22-50073\n(JAM)\n：合并管理\n\n________________________________________________：：\n费用申请封面页\nPullman & Comley, LLC（普尔曼与康利律师事务所）的第二次中期/最终费用申请\n期间：\n自：\nMay 1, 2023\n至：\nAugust 31, 2023\n破产申请提交日期：February 15, 2022\n聘任命令录入日期：April 29, 2022，自 March 29, 2022 起生效\n申请金额 减额\n费用：$86,457.50 自愿费用减额：\n$0\n开支：$1,751.60 开支：\n$0\n总计：$86,457.50\n预付金申请： 开支\n明细：\n收到的预付金\n__不适用___ 收到的预付金 ___不适用_______\n已适用的先前裁定金额\n__不适用___ 已适用的先前裁定金额\n___不适用_______\n本次申请前的余额\n__不适用___ 本次申请前的余额\n___不适用_______\n每页复制成本及总额___不适用_______\n\n1 本第 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，以及众多其他别名）（税务识别号码后四位：9595）、Genever Holdings LLC（税务识别号码后四位：8202）及 Genever Holdings Corporation。受托人、Genever Holdings LLC 及 Genever Holdings Corporation 的邮寄地址为 Paul Hastings LLP（普衡律师事务所），200 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10166，转交 Luc A. Despins（吕克·A·德斯平斯），作为 Ho Wan Kwok 遗产的受托人（仅限于通知和通信目的）。\n\n各专业人员的工时和费率：\n\n工时 65.7 费率 $580 Irve J. Goldman（欧文·J·戈德曼）\n\n工时 55.7 费率 $575 Kristin B. Mayhew（克里斯汀·B·梅休）\n工时 37.1 费率 $440 Jonathan A. Kaplan（乔纳森·A·卡普兰）\n美国破产法院 康涅狄格联邦地区 布里奇波特分院\n\n关于：第 11 章\n\nHo Wan Kwok（郭文贵）， ：案号 22-50073\n债务人。 ：\n\n________________________________________________：\n\nPULLMAN & COMLEY, LLC 作为无担保债权人官方委员会的康涅狄格州律师，就 2023 年 5 月 1 日至 2023 年 8 月 31 日期间已提供服务的报酬及已发生开支的偿还提出的第二次中期申请\n\n申请人\n名称：Pullman\n& Comley, LLC（普尔曼\n与康利律师事务所）\n\n获授权向以下主体提供\n专业服务：无担保\n债权人官方委员会\n聘任日期：April 29, 2022\n自\nMarch 29, 2022\n起生效\n申请报酬及\n偿还的期间：May\n1, 2023\n至\nAugust 31, 2023\n所申请的作为实际、\n合理及必要的\n报酬金额：$_86,457.50_______\n所申请的作为实际、合理\n及\n必要的开支偿还\n金额：$1,751.60________\n自愿减额：$0.00\n\n本申请为：\n中期申请\n 最终申请\n\n-3-\n先前申请记录\n\n申请 月度 陈述书 证明书\n\n申\n请 提交日期 涵盖\n期间 费用\n100% 开支 费用\n80% 开支 无异议证明/\n已签署命令\n第一次\n中期申请 6/20/23 3/29/2022-\n4/30/23 $504,742.00 $709.53 $12,226.88 $0.00 July 20, 2023\n费用\n陈述书 9/20/23 8/1/2023-\n8/31/2023 19,104.50 -0- 15,283.60 $0.00 不适用\n2023 年 5 月 1 日至 2023 年 8 月 31 日期间提供服务的专业人员和辅助专业人员汇总\n\n执业\n人员姓名 获准执业年份 职务/部门 工时 费率 计费金额\n合伙人/诉讼\nGoldman, Irve J. 1989 及破产 65.7 $580 $38,106.00\n合伙人/诉讼\nKaplan, Jonathan\nA. 2005 及破产 37.1 $440 16,324.00\n合伙人/诉讼\nMayhew, Kristin B. 1999 及破产 55.7 $575 $32,027.50\n\n全体计时人员合计 $86,457.50\n\n律师综合费率 $531\n2023 年 5 月 1 日至 2023 年 8 月 31 日期间按项目类别划分的报酬汇总\n\n任务\n编号 任务说明 工时 合计\n\n1 案件管理 40.2 21,786.50\n2 与债权人的会议及\n沟通 1.9 836.00\n3 费用/聘任申请 40.9 22,753.00\n4 DIP 融资 1.5 741.00\n5 资产分析与追回 74.0 40,341.00\n本陈述书所提供服务的费用总额 $86,457.50\n2023 年 5 月 1 日至 2023 年 8 月 31 日期间的开支汇总\n\n快递 -0-\n\n外部电话费用 -0-\n复制 1,738.50\n差旅及相关开支 13.10\n商务午餐 -0-\n良好存续证明 -0-\n支出总额 $1,751.60\n美国破产法院 康涅狄格联邦地区 布里奇波特分院\n\n债务人。1\n\n_________________________________________________________________\n\n_________________________________________________________________：\n\n关于：第 11 章 Ho Wan Kwok（郭文贵），：案号 22-50073\n\nPULLMAN & COMLEY, LLC 作为无担保债权人官方委员会律师，就 2023 年 5 月 1 日至 2023 年 8 月 31 日期间已提供服务的报酬及已发生开支的偿还提出的第二次中期申请\n\n根据 11 U.S.C. §§ 330 and 331、《联邦破产程序规则》第 2016(a) 条、当地破产规则 2016-1，Pullman & Comley, LLC（“P&C”）作为在债务人 Ho Wan Kwok（“债务人”）第 11 章案件中获任命的无担保债权人官方委员会（“委员会”）的律师，就 May 1, 2023 至 August 31, 2023 期间（“费用期间”）的报酬准许及开支偿还提交本第二次中期申请（“本申请”）。P&C 通过本申请请求准许中期报酬，金额为 $86,457.50，并请求偿还开支，金额为 $1,751.60。为支持本申请，P&C 谨陈如下：\n\n1 本第 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，以及众多其他别名）（税务识别号码后四位：9595）、Genever Holdings LLC（税务识别号码后四位：8202）及 Genever Holdings Corporation。受托人、Genever Holdings LLC 及 Genever Holdings Corporation 的邮寄地址为 Paul Hastings LLP（普衡律师事务所），200 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10166，转交 Luc A. Despins（吕克·A·德斯平斯），作为 Ho Wan Kwok 遗产的受托人（仅限于通知和通信目的）。\n\n背景\n\n1. 于 February 15, 2022（“申请日”），债务人在 United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Connecticut（康涅狄格联邦地区美国破产法院）根据《美国法典》第 11 编（“《破产法》”）第 11 章提交了自愿救济申请，由此启动本第 11 章案件（“第 11 章案件”）。\n\n2. 债务人根据第 1101(1) 条和第 1106(a) 条继续作为占有中债务人，直至 United States trustee（“UST”）于 July 7, 2022 任命第 11 章受托人 Luc A. Despins（“受托人”），并于 July 8, 2022 获本院批准为止。\n\n3. 于 March 21, 2022，UST 根据《破产法》第 1102(a)(1) 条任命委员会。\n\n4. 委员会获任命后不久，选定 P&C 作为其律师，并于 April 5, 2022 提交其关于聘任 Pullman & Comley, LLC 作为无担保债权人官方委员会律师的申请。\n\n5. 于 April 29, 2022，本院录入《关于授权聘任及雇用 Pullman & Comley, LLC 作为无担保债权人官方委员会律师的命令》，该命令自 March 29, 2022 起生效（“聘任命令”）。聘任命令授权 P&C 按照 11 U.S.C. §§ 330 and 331、适用的《联邦破产程序规则》、本院规则以及本院就专业人员报酬所作出的任何命令规定的程序获得报酬。\n\n6. P&C 通过本申请，请求准许其在费用期间为委员会及代表委员会提供专业服务的报酬。费用期间所提供服务的详细说明，以 P&C 月度发票的形式附于本申请，作为附件“A”；该等发票亦载有 P&C 就提供服务所发生的支出。\n\n- 2 -\n案件简史\n\n7. 债务人在被命令向 Pacific Alliance Asia Opportunity Fund, L.P.（“PAX”）支付 $134,000,000 藐视法庭罚款（“藐视法庭命令”）的截止日期前一天启动第 11 章案件。该命令作于 PAX v. Kwok, Index No. 652077/2017 一案，该案正在 New York Supreme Court（纽约州最高法院）（“纽约诉讼”）审理。\n\n8. 鉴于 PAX 与债务人之间长期且激烈的诉讼历史，PAX 于 March 1, 2022 迅速提出动议，请求解除自动中止，以返回纽约诉讼执行藐视法庭命令（“PAX 解除中止动议”）。\n\n9. 于 March 19, 2022，UST 提交《关于指示任命审查员的命令动议，或作为替代请求，关于指示任命第 11 章受托人的命令动议》（“UST 1104 动议”）。\n\n10. 于 April 6, 2022，PAX 提交《关于驳回第 11 章案件的动议，或作为替代请求，对美国受托人关于指示任命第 11 章受托人的命令动议的部分加入》（“PAX 驳回动议”）。\n\n11. 在 UST 1104 动议和 PAX 驳回动议仍在审理期间，PAX 解除中止动议通过于 April 29, 2022 录入的《关于强制 HK International Funds Investments (USA) Limited, LLC 运送并交付涉案游艇“Lady May”的协议命令》获得解决。此后，第 11 章案件的焦点转为该案件应否被驳回——此为 PAX 驳回动议所请求的主要救济形式——或被转换，抑或应否任命第 11 章受托人。委员会是反对 PAX 驳回动议的主要当事人，该动议原定于 May 25, 2022 举行证据听证。\n\n12. 在与 PAX 驳回动议有关的审前程序进行之前及进行期间，当事人和本院正在处理债务人提交、并由委员会或其他利害关系方全部或部分反对的若干早期案件动议，包括：(i) 聘任 Brown Rudnick LLP（布朗·鲁德尼克律师事务所）作为债务人律师、Verdolino & Lowey, P.C. 作为债务人财务顾问，以及 Stretto, Inc. 作为其债权申报和通知代理人的申请（均于 March 16, 2022 提交）；(ii) 债务人于 March 22, 2022 提交的《关于录入命令以授权：(I) 雇用及支付在正常经营过程中使用的专业人员；(II) 支付申请前债权；以及 (III) 给予相关救济的动议》（“OCP 动议”）；及 (iii) 债务人于 March 22, 2022 提交的《关于录入中期及最终 DIP 命令以：(I) 授权债务人取得无担保、次级申请后融资；(II) 安排中期及最终听证；以及 (III) 给予相关救济的动议》（“DIP 动议”）。该动议提议向遗产提供 $8 million 无担保次级贷款，其中 $4 million 将专用于支付委员会和/或审查员的专业费用，以对债务人的资产和财务事项进行调查。\n\n12. 虽然委员会能够从拟议 DIP 出贷人 Golden Spring (New York) Ltd.（“Golden Spring”）谈判获得进一步让步，包括尽管其拟议融资，仍保留针对 Golden Spring 的另我主张，但本院对拟议贷款存有疑虑，并通过要求各方就更明确期间提交费用预算而逐步推进，并将 DIP 动议及其他事项——包括聘任 Brown Rudnick 和 Verdolino & Lowey 的申请——排期于 April 27, 2022 举行听证。在该听证会上，DIP 动议被延期至 May 4, 2022 举行听证，此后本院将该事项留待审议。\n\n- 4 -\n\n13. 然而，于 May 11, 2022，在本院能够就 DIP 动议作出裁决之前，债务人提交了同意驳回第 11 章案件的文件及撤回 DIP 动议的通知。\n\n14. 委员会强烈反对PAX提出的驳回动议；在当事人进行了大量书面陈述、交换庭审证据以及开展其他审前程序后，该动议于2022年5月25日进行了证据听证。2022年6月15日，法院作出《关于无损害驳回驳回动议并准许加入委任第11章受托人动议的决定备忘录及命令》。\n\n13. 2022年7月7日，UST委任受托人为债务人财产的第11章受托人，其委任于2022年7月8日获法院批准。\n\n14. 债务人随即提起诉讼程序，对受托人的委任提出异议，请求解除委任受托人命令的动议，以及反对受托人申请聘任其所在律所Paul Hastings LLP（保罗·黑斯廷斯律师事务所有限责任合伙）担任其律师。债务人为罢免受托人2并阻止其聘任律师所作的所有这些尝试，均被法院于2022年8月2日录入的命令驳回。\n\n15. 自受托人获委任以来，委员会在第11章案件的管理中发挥支持作用，在管理第11章案件时视需要与受托人协商，11 U.S.C. § 1103(a)(1)，并履行“监督者”职能。参见，例如，In re Commercial Mortgage and Finance Co., 414 B.R. 389, 400 (Bankr. N.D. Ill. 2009)（承认“债权人委员会通常履行‘监督者’职能”）。\n按项目类别列示的服务摘要\n\n16. P&C在费用期间提供的服务详见附件“A”，并按项目类别概述如下：\n\n2 债务人其后于2022年12月30日提出罢免受托人的动议，该动议遭到委员会以及当然也遭到受托人的反对，并由债务人于2023年4月5日撤回。\nA. 案件管理：费用：\\$21,786.50 小时：40.20\n\n17. 委员会在该项目类别中提供的众多服务包括：审阅诉状、其他文件及法院命令或裁决，出席任何法庭听证，并就下列争议事项、对抗程序与受托人或其律师进行讨论：受托人请求批准就债务人针对其前任律师Clark Hill PLC（克拉克·希尔专业法律公司）的破产申请前诉讼达成和解的动议；受托人请求认定HK USA及Mei Guo（美国）因未遵守Rule 2004传票而构成藐视法庭的动议，以及其就法院作出的针对其等的藐视法庭裁定在上诉期间请求中止执行的动议；受托人请求强制与债务人有关的公司GTV Media Group、Saraca Media Group和GTV Operations遵守送达给其等的传票的动议，以及对此提出的异议；债务人及其他当事人对受托人综合Rule 2004动议提出的异议；受托人对Bravo Luck提出的债权申报所作的异议；受托人请求认定Hudson Diamond（哈德逊钻石）构成藐视法庭的动议；Zeisler & Zeisler（蔡斯勒与蔡斯勒）请求辞去Hudson Diamond代理律师职务的动议；US Bank（美国银行）请求将\\$37 million托管资金提存于法院的提存诉讼；受托人请求批准与HCHK Technologies债权人利益转让人达成和解的动议；受托人请求批准出售Lady May（梅女士号）的动议；受托人请求禁止取消债务人位于Sherry Netherland（雪莉-尼德兰）公寓保险保障的文件；法院认定债务人构成藐视法庭的裁定，以及债务人的上诉通知和上诉期间请求中止执行的动议；受托人请求确定位于新泽西州Mahwah的豪宅属于破产财产的对抗程序，以及其请求就该豪宅内的某些活动和允许在场人员获得禁令救济的文件；以及债务人在Southern District of New York（纽约南区）美国联邦地区法院对其正在进行的刑事案件中提出的请求中止破产案件的动议。\n\nB. 与债权人的沟通3 费用：\\$836.00 小时：1.9\n\n18. 该项目类别中的服务包括：就Lady May出售程序及其完成、法院认定HK USA为债务人的另我、专业人士的费用申请、US Bank提存诉讼、HCHK Technologies债权人利益转让程序、与Mahwah豪宅有关的程序，以及受托人为保全Sherry Netherland公寓而拟议的DIP贷款，与委员会成员进行电话会议和电子邮件沟通。\nC. 费用及聘任申请 费用：\\$22,753.00 小时：40.9\n\n19. 该项目类别中的服务包括：审阅受托人专业人士的第一份临时费用申请并向委员会报告；就Paul Hastings的第一份临时费用申请准备有限异议，并在提交前与受托人解决该异议；出席受托人专业人士第一份临时费用申请的听证；审阅基础发票，并为P&C作为委员会律师准备第一份临时费用申请及出席相关听证；审阅并就受托人请求确立临时费用程序的动议提出意见，以及出席相关听证；以及审阅受托人聘任海事律师和更换保险诉讼律师的申请。\nD. DIP动议 费用：\\$741.00 小时：1.5\n\n20. 该项目类别中的服务包括：审阅受托人请求批准由债务人财产向Genever Holdings财产提供DIP贷款，以支付Sherry Netherland公寓维修和保全费用的动议，并向委员会通报该动议。\n\n3 大多数包括与债权人和委员会沟通的时间记录均载于“案件管理”项目类别中。\nE. 资产分析与追收 费用：\\$40,341.00 小时：74.00\n\n21. 该项目类别中的服务包括：审阅受托人请求就债务人与其前任律师Clark Hill PLC的破产申请前诉讼达成和解的动议，并出席相关听证；就所作出的报价以及出售Lady May应遵循的出售程序和流程，与受托人及其律师以及PAX及其律师进行讨论；审阅出售Lady May的买卖协议、受托人请求批准出售的动议及对此提交的各种异议，并出席出售动议的听证；就受托人提起的对抗程序与受托人进行沟通并予以审阅，该程序请求宣告HCHK Technologies, Inc.、HCHK Property Management, Inc.及Lexington Property and Staffing, Inc.（统称“HCHK Entities”）为债务人的另我或由债务人衡平拥有，以及审阅受托人在该程序中提交的初步禁令和临时限制令申请；审阅并出席关于受托人请求批准与HCHK Entities州法院转让人达成和解的动议及HCHK Entities声称债权人提出的异议的听证；审阅受托人请求简易判决的动议以及支持和反对文件，该对抗程序请求宣告HK International Funds Investments (USA) Limited, LLC（“HK”）为债务人的另我，并出席该动议的口头辩论；审议并就HK在其针对法院作出的另我裁定提出上诉期间请求中止执行的动议，以及HK就法院批准出售Lady May的裁定提出上诉期间请求中止执行的动议，与受托人进行讨论；审阅并审议美国银行拟议的同意命令，该命令涉及解除\\$37 million托管资金；就受托人与Bravo Luck为和解受托人提起的对抗程序而进行的和解谈判，与受托人及PAX律师进行讨论，该对抗程序请求宣告Sherry Netherland公寓及债务人对产权所有人的100%成员权益属于破产财产，并出席关于拟议和解的听证；以及审阅并就受托人针对Taurus Fund提起的对抗程序进行讨论，该程序旨在为债务人财产追回位于新泽西州Mahwah的豪宅，以及其中请求的禁令救济。\n支出\n\n24. 在费用期间，P&C就向委员会提供法律服务发生了金额为\\$1,751.60的合理且必要的实际支出。这些支出包括必要的申请费用，并且对于在这些案件中有效提供法律服务是必要的。\n服务估值及请求的救济\n\n25. P&C雇用的律师和辅助专业人员在下述费用期间内就本事项共投入158.5小时。该等人员所完成工作的性质已在作为附件“A”附随于本申请的明细中完整列明。上述小时费率为提供服务时P&C就此类工作适用的现行小时费率。P&C作为委员会律师在费用期间提供服务的合理价值为\\$86,457.50。\n\n26. 根据《破产法》第330条列举的因素，鉴于(a)这些第11章案件的复杂性，(b)所投入的时间，(c)所提供服务的性质和范围，(d)该等服务的价值，以及(e)非本法编项下案件中可比服务的成本，请求的金额公平且合理。\n\n27. 这是P&C的第二份临时申请。P&C未从任何来源收到、亦未获承诺将收到与这些案件有关的以任何身份已经提供或将要提供的服务的任何付款，且除P&C成员外，P&C与任何其他人之间不存在就因在这些案件中提供服务而将获得的报酬进行分配的协议或谅解。此前未就本费用期间或本申请所请求准许的费用和支出向本法院或任何其他法院提出申请。本申请涵盖2023年5月1日至2023年8月31日期间。P&C在2023年8月31日之后已经并将继续提供额外必要服务，P&C将就此提交后续费用申请。\n\n28. 作为附件“B”附随于本申请并构成本申请一部分的是P&C成员Irve J. Goldman, Esq（欧文·J·戈德曼律师）根据《破产法》第504条提交的证明。\n\n因此，P&C谨请求法院作出命令，其形式大致如随附命令所示，规定：(a)就2023年5月1日至2023年8月31日期间，向P&C临时准许：(i)就已提供的必要专业服务支付\\$86,457.50报酬，及(ii)就实际发生的必要支出支付\\$1,751.60，合计\\$88,209.10；(b)授权并指示受托人向P&C支付该等款项的未付余额；以及(c)给予任何其他公正且适当的进一步救济。\n\n日期：康涅狄格州布里奇波特\n\n2023年10月16日 谨此提交，\nPULLMAN & COMLEY, LLC（普尔曼与康利有限责任公司）\n\n/s/Irve J. Goldman Irve J. Goldman, Esq.（欧文·J·戈德曼律师）（ct02404） 850 Main Street, 8th Floor P.O. Box 7006 Bridgeport, CT 06601-7006 电话：(203) 330-2213 传真：(203) 576-8888 电子邮箱：[jgoldman@pullman.com]\n\n无担保债权人正式委员会的律师","key_entities":["Je","Kwok","Ho Wan Kwok","HCHK","Guo","Paul Hastings","Despins","Miles Guo","GTV","CIPA","Saraca"],"ecf_references":[],"word_count":4057,"status":"published","published_at":null,"created_at":null,"updated_at":"2026-08-23 18:47:08"}