{"id":"court_ctb_2297_0","court":"CTB","case_no":"22-50073","doc_number":2297,"sub_number":0,"doc_type":"ORDER","filed_date":null,"title":"UNITED STATES BANKRUPTCY COURT DISTRICT OF CONNECTICUT BRIDGEPORT DIVISION In re : Chapter 11","summary_zh":null,"summary_en":null,"body_en":"## **UNITED STATES BANKRUPTCY COURT DISTRICT OF CONNECTICUT BRIDGEPORT DIVISION**\n\nIn re : Chapter 11\n\nDebtor.<sup>1</sup>\n\n\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\n\n\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_:\n\n: Ho Wan Kwok, : Case No. 22-50073 (JAM) : Jointly Administered :\n\n# **MOTION OF THE COMMITTEE OF UNSECURED CREDITORSTO MODIFY ORDER LIMITING NOTICE FOR APPLICATIONS SEEKING COMPENSATION OF FEES OR REIMBURSEMENT OF EXPENSES**\n\n:\n\nThe Official Committee of Unsecured Creditors (the \"Committee\") appointed in the Chapter 11 bankruptcy case of Ho Wan Kwok (the \"Debtor\"), pending in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Connecticut (the \"Bankruptcy Case\"), by and through its undersigned counsel, hereby file this motion (the \"Motion\") requesting entry of an order, substantially in the form attached hereto as **Exhibit A** (the \"Proposed Order\"), seeking to modify the *Order Limiting Service of Notice for Application Seeking Compensation of Fees or Reimbursement of Expenses*  [Docket No. 1611] (the \"Order Limiting Notice\") to the Committee Notice Parties (as defined below). In support of this Motion, the Committee respectfully states as follows.\n\n## **RELIEF REQUESTED**\n\n1. By this Motion, the Committee seeks to limit service of applications for compensation of fees or reimbursement of expenses in these chapter 11 cases to (i) all parties who receive notice in these chapter 11 cases by operation of the Court's electronic filing (\"CM/ECF\")\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.\n\nsystem, (ii) any party who requested notice in these chapter 11 cases, but is unable to accept electronic filing as indicated on the Notice of Electronic Filing, and (iii) the members of the Committee (BVI) (collectively, the \"Notice Parties\").<sup>2</sup>\n\n### **JURISDICTION, VENUE, AND STATUTORY BASES**\n\n2. The United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Connecticut (the \"Court\") has 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. This matter is a core proceeding within the meaning of 28 U.S.C. § 157(b)(2).\n\n3. Venue is proper pursuant to 28 U.S.C. §§ 1408(2) and 1409.\n\n4. The bases for the relief requested herein are section 105(a) of the Bankruptcy Code and Bankruptcy Rules 2002(a) and (i).\n\n### **BACKGROUND**\n\n#### **I. The Individual Debtor's Chapter 11 Case**\n\n5. On February 15, 2022, the Individual Debtor filed with the Court a voluntary petition for relief under chapter 11 of the Bankruptcy Code.\n\n6. On March 21, 2022, the United States Trustee appointed an Official Committee of Unsecured Creditors (the \"Committee\") in the Individual Debtor's chapter 11 case.\n\n7. On June 15, 2022, the Court entered a memorandum of decision and order [Docket No. 465] (the \"Trustee Order\") directing the United States Trustee to appoint a chapter 11 trustee in the Individual Debtor's chapter 11 case. Pursuant to the Trustee Order, the United States Trustee selected Luc A. Despins as the Trustee [Docket No. 514].\n\n<sup>2</sup> Because an official committee has been appointed in the chapter 11 case of the Individual Debtor, the Committee submits that it is not necessary to also serve the 20 largest creditors in the chapter 11 case of the Individual Debtor. *See* Bankruptcy Rule 2002(i).\n\n8. On July 8, 2022, the Court entered an order granting the appointment of Luc A. Despins as the Trustee in the Chapter 11 Case [Docket No. 523].\n\n### **II. Genever (US)'s Chapter 11 Case**\n\n9. On October 12, 2020, Genever (US) filed its chapter 11 petition in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York (the \"New York Bankruptcy Court\"). No trustee or official committee of unsecured creditors has been appointed in Genever (US)'s chapter 11 case.\n\n10. By order dated November 3, 2022, the New York Bankruptcy Court transferred venue of Genever (US)'s chapter 11 case to this Court.\n\n### **III. Genever (BVI)'s Chapter 11 Case**\n\n11. On October 11, 2022, Genever (BVI) filed a voluntary petition for relief under chapter 11 of the Bankruptcy Code in this Court. No trustee or official committee of unsecured creditors has been appointed in Genever (BVI)'s chapter 11 case.\n\n12. On November 21, 2022, the Court entered an order granting joint administration of the Individual Debtor's chapter 11 case, Genever (BVI)'s chapter 11 case, and Genever (US)'s chapter 11 case [Docket No. 1141].\n\n### **IV. Fee and Expense Applications**\n\n13. To date, the Court has approved the retention of various professionals in these chapter 11 cases, including but not limited to (i) Paul Hastings LLP, as counsel to the Trustee and the Genever Debtors [Docket Nos. 668, 1376], (ii) Neubert, Pepe & Monteith, P.C., as local Connecticut counsel to the Trustee and the Genever Debtors [Docket Nos. 669, 1107, 1177], (iii) Harney Westwood and Riegels LP, as BVI counsel to the Trustee and Genever BVI [Docket No.\n\n909, 1286], (iv) Pallas Partner LLP, as UK solicitor for the Trustee [Docket No. 1596], and (v) Pullman & Comley, LLC, as counsel to the Committee [Docket No. 298].\n\n14. On March 29, 2023, the Court previously entered the *Order Limiting Service of Notice for Application Seeking Compensation of Fees or Reimbursement of Expenses* [Docket No. 1611] (the \"Order Limiting Notice\") which, among other things, provides that applications for compensation of fees or reimbursement of expenses in these chapter 11 cases only need to be served upon: (i) all parties who receive notice in these chapter 11 cases by operation of the Court's electronic filing (\"CM/ECF\") system; (ii) any party who requested notice in these chapter 11 cases, but is unable to accept electronic filing as indicated on the Notice of Electronic Filing; and (iii) the twenty (20) largest creditors in the Debtors' chapter 11 cases of Genever (BVI) and Genever (US) (collectively, the \"Notice Parties\").\n\n15. The Order Limiting Notice also provided that parties may seek further modifications to procedures relating to interim fee and expense reimbursement applications.\n\n14. On June 20, 2023, the Committee and Pullman & Comley, LLC filed the *First Interim Application of Pullman & Comley, LLC, for Reimbursement of Expenses for the Period from March 29, 2022 through April 30, 2023* [Docket No. 1917] (the \"First PC Expense Application\").\n\n15. The Court scheduled the hearing on the First PC Expense Application on July 18, 2023, and the Committee and Pullman & Comley, LLC incurred substantial expense in facilitating service on the Notice Parties. The Court subsequently granted the First PC Expense Application, as modified pursuant to the comments of the Office of the United States Trustee. Docket No. 2021.\n\n4\n\n16. On October 16, 2023, the Committee and Pullman & Comley, LLC filed the *Second Interim Application of Pullman & Comley, LLC, for Reimbursement of Expenses for the Period from May 1, 2023 through August 31, 2023* [Docket No. 2255] (the \"Second PC Expense Application\").\n\n17. The Court issued a Notice of Hearing for November 28, 2023 at 2:00 p.m. Docket No. 2276.\n\n18. The Committee and Pullman & Comley seek a modification from the Order Limiting Notice to (i) all parties who receive notice in these chapter 11 cases by operation of the Court's electronic filing (\"CM/ECF\") system; (ii) any party who requested notice in these chapter 11 cases, but is unable to accept electronic filing as indicated on the Notice of Electronic Filing , via first class mail; and (iii) the members of the Committee via e-mail (the \"Committee Notice Parties\").\n\n#### **BASIS FOR RELIEF REQUESTED**\n\n19. Section 105(a) of the Bankruptcy Code authorizes a court to \"issue any order, process, or judgment that is necessary or appropriate to carry out the provisions of [the Bankruptcy Code],\" thereby codifying the bankruptcy court's inherent equitable powers. 11 U.S.C. § 105(a).\n\n20. Pursuant to Rule 2002(a)(6) of the Federal Rules of Bankruptcy Procedure (the \"Bankruptcy Rules\"), notice of a hearing on any entity's request for compensation or reimbursement of expenses must be given by mail if the request exceeds \\$1,000. Moreover, Bankruptcy Rule 2002(i) provides that \"the court may order that notices required by subdivision (a)(2), (3) and (6) of [Rule 2002] may be . . . mailed only to the [official committee of unsecured creditors] or their authorized agents and to the creditors and equity security holders who serve on the trustee or debtor in possession and file a request that all notices be mailed to them.\"\n\n21. The Committee has not been appointed in the Genever (BVI) and Genever (US) matters and the Committee does not have an appearance on those dockets. Thus, the Committee should have to incur the cost of serving its fee applications on the 20 largest unsecured creditors in those cases. In lieu of serving itself, which is permitted under the Order Limiting Notice and Rule 2002(i), the Committee offers to modify the Order Limiting Notice to permit e-mailing with the Committee's members.\n\n22. Relief of this nature (*i.e.*, limiting service of fee and expense applications) is commonly sought as part of compensation procedures, which are approved as a matter of course in chapter 11 cases. Given the costs of service, the large administrative costs incurred in this matter (and likely to continue to accrue), the Committee requests the very narrow relief of modifying the Order Limiting Notice as specified above.\n\n23. The Committee submits that the relief sought in this Motion is appropriate in these chapter 11 cases and is in the best interests of the Debtors' estates, their creditors, and other partiesin-interest.\n\nWHEREFORE, the Trustee respectfully requests entry of the Proposed Order (a) granting the relief requested herein, and (b) granting such other relief as is just and proper.\n\n# Dated: Hartford, Connecticut **OFFICIAL COMMITTEE OF UNSECURED** October 27, 2023 **CREDITORS OF HO WAN KWOK**\n\nBy: */s/Jonathan A. Kaplan* Irve J. Goldman Jonathan A. Kaplan Pullman & Comley, LLC 90 State House Square Hartford, CT 06103 860-424-4379 [jkaplan@pullcom.com](mailto:jkaplan@pullcom.com) Its Attorneys\n\n### **CERTIFICATION OF SERVICE**\n\nI, Jonathan A. Kaplan, herby certify that on the 27th day of October, 2023, a true and correct copy of the foregoing was filed with the Court and served upon all parties that have filed a notice of appearance and request for notice electronically via the Court's CM/ECF electronic filing system.\n\n*/s/ Jonathan A. Kaplan*","body_zh":"UNITED STATES BANKRUPTCY COURT DISTRICT OF CONNECTICUT（美国康涅狄格区破产法院）BRIDGEPORT DIVISION（布里奇波特分院）\n\n涉及事项：第11章\n\n债务人。1\n\n___________________________________________\n\n___________________________________________:\n\n: Ho Wan Kwok（郭文贵），: 案号 22-50073 (JAM) : 合并审理 :\n\n无担保债权人委员会关于修改限制申请费用报酬或支出报销之通知范围命令的动议\n\n:\n\n在待决于 United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Connecticut（美国康涅狄格区破产法院）（“破产案件”）的 Ho Wan Kwok（郭文贵）（“债务人”）第11章破产案中指定的 Official Committee of Unsecured Creditors（无担保债权人官方委员会）（“委员会”），通过其下列签名的律师，特此提起本动议（“动议”），请求做出大体符合本动议附件A（“拟议裁定”）形式的裁定，寻求修改针对委员会通知当事人（定义见下文）的《关于限制申请费用报酬或支出报销之通知送达的命令》[Docket No. 1611]（“限制通知命令”）。为支持本动议，委员会谨陈述如下。\n\n所请求的救济\n\n1. 通过本动议，委员会寻求将这些第11章案件中关于费用报酬或支出报销之申请的送达范围限制为：(i) 通过法院的电子归档（“CM/ECF”）\n\n1 这些第11章案件中的债务人为 Ho Wan Kwok（亦称为 Guo Wengui、Miles Guo 及 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）和 Genever Holdings Corporation。\n\n系统在这些第11章案件中接收通知的所有当事人；(ii) 在这些第11章案件中请求接收通知，但如电子归档通知上所示无法接收电子归档的任何当事人；以及 (iii) 委员会（英属维尔京群岛）成员（合称“通知当事人”）。2\n\n管辖权、审判地及法定依据\n\n2. 根据 28 U.S.C. §§ 157 和 1334 以及 United States District Court for the District of Connecticut（美国康涅狄格区联邦地区法院）的常设移送裁定，美国康涅狄格区破产法院（“本法院”）对本事项拥有管辖权。根据 28 U.S.C. § 157(b)(2) 的含义，本事项属于核心程序。\n\n3. 根据 28 U.S.C. §§ 1408(2) 和 1409，审判地是适当的。\n\n4. 本文所请求救济的依据为《破产法典》第 105(a) 条以及《联邦破产诉讼规则》第 2002(a) 条和第 2002(i) 条。\n\n背景\n\nI. 个人债务人的第11章案件\n\n5. 2022年2月15日，个人债务人向本法院提交了根据《破产法典》第11章寻求救济的自愿申请书。\n\n6. 2022年3月21日，United States Trustee（美国受托人）在个人债务人的第11章案件中指定了无担保债权人官方委员会（“委员会”）。\n\n7. 2022年6月15日，本法院做出一项判决备忘录及裁定 [Docket No. 465]（“受托人裁定”），指示美国受托人在个人债务人的第11章案件中指定一名第11章受托人。根据受托人裁定，美国受托人选定 Luc A. Despins 为受托人 [Docket No. 514]。\n\n2 由于已在个人债务人的第11章案件中指定了官方委员会，委员会认为没有必要再向个人债务人第11章案件中的前20大债权人进行送达。参见《破产规则》第 2002(i) 条。\n\n8. 2022年7月8日，本法院做出一项裁定，准许指定 Luc A. Despins 为第11章案件中的受托人 [Docket No. 523]。\n\nII. Genever (US) 的第11章案件\n\n9. 2020年10月12日，Genever (US) 向 United States Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York（美国纽约南区破产法院）（“纽约破产法院”）提交了第11章申请书。在 Genever (US) 的第11章案件中未指定任何受托人或无担保债权人官方委员会。\n\n10. 根据日期为2022年11月3日的裁定，纽约破产法院将 Genever (US) 的第11章案件移送至本法院管辖。\n\nIII. Genever (BVI) 的第11章案件\n\n11. 2022年10月11日，Genever (BVI) 向本法院提交了根据《破产法典》第11章寻求救济的自愿申请书。在 Genever (BVI) 的第11章案件中未指定任何受托人或无担保债权人官方委员会。\n\n12. 2022年11月21日，本法院做出一项裁定，准许合并审理个人债务人的第11章案件、Genever (BVI) 的第11章案件以及 Genever (US) 的第11章案件 [Docket No. 1141]。\n\nIV. 费用和支出申请\n\n13. 迄今为止，本法院已批准在这些第11章案件中聘用多名专业人士，包括但不限于：(i) Paul Hastings LLP（普衡律师事务所），担任受托人及 Genever 债务人的律师 [Docket Nos. 668, 1376]；(ii) Neubert, Pepe & Monteith, P.C.，担任受托人及 Genever 债务人的康涅狄格州当地律师 [Docket Nos. 669, 1107, 1177]；(iii) Harney Westwood and Riegels LP（衡力斯律师事务所），担任受托人及 Genever BVI 的英属维尔京群岛律师 [Docket No.\n\n909, 1286]；(iv) Pallas Partner LLP，担任受托人的英国事务律师 [Docket No. 1596]；以及 (v) Pullman & Comley, LLC，担任委员会的律师 [Docket No. 298]。\n\n14. 2023年3月29日，本法院此前做出了《关于限制申请费用报酬或支出报销之通知送达的命令》[Docket No. 1611]（“限制通知命令”），除其他事项外，该命令规定在这些第11章案件中关于费用报酬或支出报销的申请仅需送达至：(i) 通过法院的电子归档（“CM/ECF”）系统在这些第11章案件中接收通知的所有当事人；(ii) 在这些第11章案件中请求接收通知，但如电子归档通知上所示无法接收电子归档的任何当事人；以及 (iii) 债务人的 Genever (BVI) 和 Genever (US) 第11章案件中的前二十 (20) 大债权人（合称“通知当事人”）。\n\n15. 限制通知命令还规定，各方当事人可以就中期费用及支出报销申请的相关程序寻求进一步修改。\n\n14. 2023年6月20日，委员会与 Pullman & Comley, LLC 提交了《Pullman & Comley, LLC 针对2022年3月29日至2023年4月30日期间支出报销的第一次中期申请》[Docket No. 1917]（“第一次 PC 支出申请”）。\n\n15. 本法院将第一次 PC 支出申请的听证会定于2023年7月18日举行，委员会与 Pullman & Comley, LLC 为协助向通知当事人进行送达产生了巨额费用。本法院随后批准了根据美国受托人办公室的意见修改后的第一次 PC 支出申请。Docket No. 2021。\n\n16. 2023年10月16日，委员会与 Pullman & Comley, LLC 提交了《Pullman & Comley, LLC 针对2023年5月1日至2023年8月31日期间支出报销的第二次中期申请》[Docket No. 2255]（“第二次 PC 支出申请”）。\n\n17. 本法院发出了听证会通知，定于2023年11月28日下午2:00举行。Docket No. 2276。\n\n18. 委员会与 Pullman & Comley 寻求对限制通知命令进行修改，将范围变更为：(i) 通过法院的电子归档（“CM/ECF”）系统在这些第11章案件中接收通知的所有当事人；(ii) 在这些第11章案件中请求接收通知，但如电子归档通知上所示无法接收电子归档的任何当事人，通过普通平信送达；以及 (iii) 委员会成员，通过电子邮件送达（“委员会通知当事人”）。\n\n所请求救济的依据\n\n19. 《破产法典》第 105(a) 条授权法院“签发执行[《破产法典》]规定所必需或适当的任何命令、令状或判决”，从而将破产法院固有的衡平权力明文化。11 U.S.C. § 105(a)。\n\n20. 根据《联邦破产诉讼规则》（“《破产规则》”）第 2002(a)(6) 条，如果任何实体提出的报酬或支出报销请求金额超过 1,000 美元，其听证会通知必须通过邮寄送达。此外，《破产规则》第 2002(i) 条规定，“法院可以命令将[第 2002 条]第 (a)(2)、(3) 和 (6) 款所要求的通知……仅邮寄给[无担保债权人官方委员会]或其授权代理人，以及向受托人或占有债务人送达并提交请求将其所有通知邮寄给他们的债权人和权益证券持有人。”\n\n21. 委员会未在 Genever (BVI) 和 Genever (US) 事项中被指定，且委员会并未在该等案件卷宗中登记出庭。因此，委员会不得不承担向这些案件中的前20大无担保债权人送达其费用申请的费用。为了代替向其自身送达（限制通知命令和第 2002(i) 条允许此做法），委员会提议修改限制通知命令，以准许通过电子邮件向委员会成员送达。\n\n22. 此类性质的救济（即限制费用和支出申请的送达范围）通常作为报酬程序的一部分予以申请，且在第11章案件中通常按惯例获得批准。鉴于送达成本以及在本案中产生的巨额行政管理费用（且可能继续增加），委员会请求准予上述对限制通知命令予以修改的极有限救济。\n\n23. 委员会认为，本动议所寻求的救济在这些第11章案件中是适当的，且符合债务人破产财团、其债权人及其他利害关系方的最大利益。\n\n据此，受托人谨请求做出拟议裁定：(a) 准予本文所请求的救济，以及 (b) 准予公正且适当的其他救济。\n\n日期：康涅狄格州哈特福德\n2023年10月27日\n\nHO WAN KWOK（郭文贵）无担保债权人官方委员会\n\n签署人：/s/ Jonathan A. Kaplan\nIrve J. Goldman\nJonathan A. Kaplan\nPullman & Comley, LLC\n90 State House Square\nHartford, CT 06103\n860-424-4379\n[jkaplan@pullcom.com]\n其代理律师\n\n送达证明\n\n本人 Jonathan A. Kaplan 特此证明，于2023年10月27日，前述文书的真实正确副本已向本法院归档，并通过本法院的 CM/ECF 电子归档系统向所有已提交出庭通知及请求接收通知的当事人进行了电子送达。\n\n/s/ Jonathan A. Kaplan","key_entities":["Kwok","Ho Wan Kwok","Guo","Despins","Miles Guo","Paul Hastings"],"ecf_references":[],"word_count":1721,"status":"published","published_at":null,"created_at":null,"updated_at":"2026-08-23 12:58:49"}