{"id":"court_ctb_27_0","court":"CTB","case_no":"22-50073","doc_number":27,"sub_number":0,"doc_type":"ORDER","filed_date":"2022-02-24","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|        |              | --------------------------------------------------------------------X |   |                            |\n|--------|--------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------|---|----------------------------|\n|        |              |                                                                       | : |                            |\n| In re: |              |                                                                       | : | Chapter 11                 |\n|        |              |                                                                       | : |                            |\n|        | Ho Wan Kwok, |                                                                       | : | Case No. 22-50073<br>(JAM) |\n|        |              |                                                                       | : |                            |\n|        |              |                                                                       | : | Requested Hearing:         |\n|        |              | Debtor.                                                               | : | Date: March 1, 2022        |\n|        |              |                                                                       | : | Time: TBD                  |\n|        |              | --------------------------------------------------------------------X |   |                            |\n\n## **DEBTOR'S MOTION TO EXTEND TIME TO FILE SCHEDULES OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES AND STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL AFFAIRS**\n\nMr. Ho Wan Kwok, the debtor and debtor-in-possession in the above-captioned Chapter 11 Case, by and through his undersigned counsel, hereby submits this Motion (the \"Motion\"), seeking entry of an order, substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit A (the \"Order\") extending the time to file his Schedules of Assets and Liabilities and Statement of Financial Affairs and, in support, states as follows:\n\n## **JURISDICTION**\n\n1. This Court has jurisdiction to consider this Motion under 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). This is a core proceeding under 28 U.S.C. § 157(b). Venue of this Chapter 11 Case and this Motion is proper in this District under 28 U.S.C. §§ 1408 and 1409.\n\n### **RELIEF REQUESTED**\n\n2. By this Motion, pursuant to sections 105(a) and 521 of title 11 of the United States Code (the \"Bankruptcy Code\") and Rules 1007 and 9006 of the Federal Rules of Bankruptcy Procedure (the \"Bankruptcy Rules\"), and Rule 1007-1 of the Local Rules of the United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Connecticut (the \"Local Rules\"), Mr. Kwok seeks the entry\n\nof an order extending the time for Debtor to file his Schedules of Assets and Liabilities (the \"Schedules\") and Statements of Financial Affairs (the \"SOFAs\") by approximately 60 days, until May 2, 2022, without prejudice to Debtor's ability to request additional extensions for cause shown.\n\n3. For the reasons set forth herein, Mr. Kwok submits that the relief requested is in the best interest of his Chapter 11 estate, creditors, and other parties in interest, and therefore should be granted.\n\n### **BACKGROUND**\n\n4. On February 15, 2022 (the \"Petition Date\"), Mr. Kwok filed a voluntary petition for relief under Chapter 11 of Title 11 of the Bankruptcy Code.\n\n5. Mr. Kwok's background is admittedly extraordinary. Mr. Kwok is an outspoken Chinese political dissident and a prominent Chinese pro-democracy activist. Over the years, he has amassed a following on various digital and media platforms where he shares his personal views and opinions concerning the People's Republic of China (the \"PRC\") and other world-affairs. His views and opinions on the Chinese Communist Party (the \"CCP\"), as the ruling party of the PRC, have been largely influenced by his living through the Tiananmen Square Massacre of 1989, his subsequent imprisonment in China following political activism against corrupt CCP officials, and his direct knowledge of and personal experiences involving high-level CCP corruption. He currently lives in the United States, where his asylum application remains pending.\n\n6. Mr. Kwok understands the requirements imposed by the Bankruptcy Code to file his Schedules and SOFAs. However, as a logistical matter, Mr. Kwok speaks minimal English and cannot read or write in English and the Schedules and SOFAs are not available in his native language, Chinese. Therefore, he will require the assistance of a translator to understand the\n\n2\n\ninformation requested by the Schedules and SOFAs and to ensure his responses are accurately reflected in the Schedules and SOFAs in English. These translations will take time to complete.\n\n7. Concerning the substance requested by the Schedules, we request the additional time principally because, concerning liabilities, Mr. Kwok is subject to claims grounded in various legal theories by numerous plaintiffs. He is named as a defendant or co-defendant in approximately 20 lawsuits currently pending in the United States and abroad, including two putative class action suits. He is represented by counsel in these actions. For purposes of the Schedules and SOFAs, it will be critical for Mr. Kwok to work closely with his existing litigation counsel in order to accurately and comprehensively identify all potential claimants and their claims. Without such assistance, restructuring counsel cannot be certain whether the creditor matrix and \"top 20\" unsecured creditor schedule annexed to his Chapter 11 petition are complete.\n\n8. With respect to assets, Mr. Kwok's meaningful assets are claims against third parties, including professional negligence, breach of fiduciary duty, and defamation claims. The nature of these claims will be described in his forthcoming schedules and statements with the assistance of counsel engaged by Mr. Kwok in such litigation.\n\n9. However, certain steps must be taken to secure the cooperation of existing counsel. For one, such counsel must be retained in accordance with Bankruptcy Code 327. Mr. Kwok anticipates filing a motion to retain such non-restructuring \"ordinary course professionals\" in the near future. He may also need the assistance of a financial advisor in order to compile his Schedules and SOFAs and prepare the periodic monthly operating reports during the pendency of this Chapter 11 case.\n\n10. To pay for all these professionals and other expenses, Mr. Kwok is discussing the terms of debtor-in-possession financing with certain prospective lenders. He anticipates filing the\n\n3\n\nrequisite pleadings within a short period of time. Mr. Kwok anticipates completion of his Schedules and SOFAs within a matter of weeks after securing the professional retentions and financing necessary to pay professionals.\n\n11. Thereafter, Mr. Kwok intends to establish a bar date fixing the date by which creditors must assert claims in his Chapter 11 case to obtain a recovery in any chapter 11 plan. Once the magnitude of allowed claims is established following a claims reconciliation process, including potential removal of these actions to the Bankruptcy Court consistent with Bankruptcy Rule 9027, Mr. Kwok will shift gears towards the chapter 11 plan confirmation process.\n\n12. Mr. Kwok filed this Chapter 11 Case with the clear intention of satisfying his creditors' allowed claims in full. Clearly, he will need the support of his family members to fund an exit from chapter 11.\n\n13. At this stage of his Chapter 11 case, Mr. Kwok is hopeful that confirmation and consummation of a chapter 11 plan is feasible. But, nothing is certain. The first step in the process is a complete, accurate representation of his assets and liabilities. For this part of the process, he requires a short extension to allow him to retain the professionals necessary to assist him and secure the financing to administer this Chapter 11 Case.\n\n### **BASIS FOR RELIEF**\n\n14. Section 521 of the Bankruptcy Code and Bankruptcy Rule 1007(b)-(c) require a chapter 11 debtor to file the required Schedules and SOFAs with a voluntary petition or within 14 days thereafter. *See* 11 U.S.C. § 521; Fed. R. Bankr. P. 1007(b)-(c). Bankruptcy Rule 9006(b)(1) provides the Court with authority to extend the deadline to file the Schedules and SOFAs \"for cause.\" Moreover, Section 105(a) of the Bankruptcy Code empowers the Court to \"issue any order, process, or judgment that is necessary or appropriate to carry out the provisions of\" the Bankruptcy Code. 11 U.S.C. § 105(a). Here, as set forth above, Mr. Kwok requires a short extension to the applicable deadlines.\n\n15. Mr. Kwok submits that good cause exists to warrant an extension of time pursuant to Bankruptcy Rules 1007(c) and 9006(b)(1). As explained above, Mr. Kwok requires the assistance of counsel and potentially a financial advisor to prepare the Schedules and SOFAs accurately and in appropriate detail. Unlike in complex commercial chapter 11 cases, where a sophisticated finance group is \"in house\" and can assist with the preparation of the Schedules and SOFAs, Mr. Kwok is on his own unless he has access to the professionals that have been representing him for years. Moreover, he will require a translation of the Schedules and SOFAs into Mr. Kwok's native Chinese to ensure he understands the information required by such forms and can confirm the English responses. Accordingly, Mr. Kwok submits that an extension of approximately 60 days (i.e., through May 2, 2022), to file the Schedules and SOFAs, without prejudice to his ability to request additional extensions for cause shown, is appropriate and warranted under the circumstances. With the benefit of an extension, Mr. Kwok and his advisors will be better suited to ensure the Schedules and SOFAs are both comprehensive and accurate.\n\n### **NOTICE**\n\n16. Notice of this Motion has been provided to the following parties, or, in lieu thereof, their counsel: (i) the U.S. Trustee; (ii) each of Debtor's 20 largest unsecured creditors; (iii) the Internal Revenue Service; (iv) the United States Attorney's Office for the District of Connecticut; and (v) any such other party entitled to receive notice pursuant to Local Rule 2002. Debtor submits that, in view of the facts and circumstances, such notice is sufficient and no other or further notice need be provided.\n\n## **NO PRIOR REQUEST**\n\n17. No previous request for the relief sought herein has been made by Debtor to this or any other court.\n\n### **CONCLUSION**\n\nWHEREFORE, for the reasons set forth herein, Debtor respectfully request entry\n\nof the Order granting the relief requested in this Motion and such other and further relief as is just\n\nand proper.\n\nDated: February 24, 2022\n\n## **BROWN RUDNICK LLP**\n\nBy: /s/ *Dylan Kletter* BROWN RUDNICK LLP 185 Asylum Street Hartford, CT 06103 Attn: Dylan Kletter, Esq. Telephone: (860) 509-6500 Facsimile: (860) 509-6653 Email: dkletter@brownrudnick.com\n\nSeven Times Square New York, NY 10036 Attn: William R. Baldiga, Esq. (*pro hac* pending) Attn: Bennett S. Silverberg, Esq. (*pro hac* pending) Attn: Uriel Pinelo, Esq. (*pro hac* pending) Telephone: (212) 209-4800 Facsimile: (212) 209-4801 Email: wbaldiga@brownrudnick.com bsilverberg@brownrudnick.com upinelo@brownrudnick.com\n\nCase 22-50073 Doc 27 Filed 02/24/22 Entered 02/24/22 20:26:53 Page 7 of 9\n\n# **Exhibit A**\n\nProposed Order\n\n# **UNITED STATES BANKRUPTCY COURT DISTRICT OF CONNECTICUT BRIDGEPORT DIVISION**\n\n|        |              | --------------------------------------------------------------------X |   |                         |\n|--------|--------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------|---|-------------------------|\n|        |              |                                                                       | : |                         |\n| In re: |              |                                                                       | : | Chapter 11              |\n|        |              |                                                                       | : |                         |\n|        | Ho Wan Kwok, |                                                                       | : | Case No. 22-50073 (JAM) |\n|        |              |                                                                       | : |                         |\n|        |              |                                                                       | : | Related Docket No.      |\n|        |              | Debtor.                                                               | : |                         |\n|        |              |                                                                       | : |                         |\n|        |              | --------------------------------------------------------------------X |   |                         |\n\n## **ORDER EXTENDING TIME FOR DEBTOR TO FILE HIS SCHEDULES OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES AND STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL AFFAIRS**\n\nUpon the motion (the \"Motion\")[1](#page-7-0) of Mr. Kwok for entry of an order (this \"Order\"), pursuant to sections 105(a) and 521 of the Bankruptcy Code, Bankruptcy Rules 1007 and 9006, and Local Rule 1007-1 extending the time period to file his Schedules and Statements, as set forth in the Motion; and the Court having found that it has jurisdiction to consider the Motion 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 (as amended); and consideration of the Motion and the relief requested therein being a core proceeding pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 157(b); and venue being proper before this Court pursuant to 28 U.S.C. §§ 1408 and 1409; and due, sufficient, and proper notice of the Motion having been provided under the circumstances and in accordance with the Bankruptcy Rules and the Local Rules, and it appearing that no other or further notice need be provided; and a hearing having been held to consider the relief requested in the Motion (the \"Hearing\"); and upon all of the proceedings had before the\n\n<span id=\"page-7-0\"></span><sup>1</sup> Capitalized terms used but not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings ascribed to them in the Motion.\n\nCourt; and after due deliberation and sufficient cause appearing therefor, **IT IS HEREBY ORDERED**, **ADJUDGED**, and **DECREED** that:\n\n1. The Motion is granted as set forth herein.\n\n2. The deadline for Mr. Kwok to file his Schedules and Statements is extended until and including May 2, 2022, without prejudice to his right to seek an additional extension upon cause therefor.\n\n3. This Court retains jurisdiction with respect to all matters arising from or related to the implementation, interpretation, and/or enforcement of this Order.","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\n关于：: 第 11 章\n\nHo Wan Kwok（郭文贵），: 案号：22-50073 (JAM)\n\n: 申请听证：\n债务人。: 日期：2022年3月1日\n: 时间：待定\n\n债务人关于延长提交资产与负债清单及财务状况说明书期限的动议\n\n上述第 11 章案件中的债务人及占有中债务人 Ho Wan Kwok（郭文贵）先生，通过其下述署名律师，特此提交本动议（下称“本动议”），请求做出大体符合本动议所附附件 A 形式的裁定（下称“本裁定”），以延长其提交资产与负债清单以及财务状况说明书的期限，并据此陈述理由如下：\n\n管辖权\n\n1. 根据 28 U.S.C. §§ 157 及 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）的移送常设命令（经修订），本法院对审理本动议具有管辖权。根据 28 U.S.C. § 157(b)，本案属于核心程序。根据 28 U.S.C. §§ 1408 及 1409，本第 11 章案件及本动议在本区的管辖地是正当的。\n\n请求的救济\n\n2. 依据本动议，根据《美国法典》第 11 篇（下称“《破产法典》”）第 105(a) 及 521 条、《联邦破产程序规则》（下称“《破产规则》”）第 1007 及 9006 条，以及《美国康涅狄格区破产法院本地规则》（下称“《本地规则》”）第 1007-1 条，郭先生请求做出\n\n一项裁定，将债务人提交其资产与负债清单（下称“清单”）及财务状况说明书（下称“财务说明书”）的期限延长约 60 天，至 2022年5月2日，且不损害债务人基于合理理由请求进一步延期的权利。\n\n3. 基于本文所述理由，郭先生认为所请求的救济符合其第 11 章破产财产、债权人及其他利害关系方的最大利益，因此应予准许。\n\n背景\n\n4. 2022年2月15日（下称“申请日”），郭先生根据《破产法典》第 11 篇第 11 章提交了自愿破产救济申请。\n\n5. 诚然，郭先生的背景非同寻常。郭先生是一位直言不讳的中国政治异见人士和著名的中国民主倡导者。多年来，他在各类数字和媒体平台上积累了大量追随者，并在这些平台上就 People's Republic of China（中华人民共和国，下称“中国”）及其他世界事务分享其个人见解与观点。他对作为中国执政党的 Chinese Communist Party（中国共产党，下称“中共”）的见解与观点，在很大程度上受到他亲历 1989 年天安门广场事件、随后因针对中共腐败官员的政治抗争而在中国入狱服刑，以及他对中共高层腐败的直接了解和个人经历的影响。他目前居住在美国，其庇护申请仍在审理中。\n\n6. 郭先生理解《破产法典》对其提交清单及财务说明书所设定的要求。然而，在具体操作层面，郭先生仅掌握极少的英语，无法阅读或书写英语，且清单及财务说明书并无其中文母语版本。因此，他需要翻译人员的协助以理解\n\n清单及财务说明书所要求提供的信息，并确保其答复能以英文准确反映在清单及财务说明书中。完成这些翻译工作需要一定时间。\n\n7. 关于清单所要求的实质内容，我们请求额外时间的主要原因在于：在负债方面，众多原告基于各类法律理论对郭先生提出了索赔主张。他在目前于美国及海外悬而未决的约 20 起诉讼中被列为被告或共同被告，其中包括两起拟定集体诉讼。在这些诉讼中他均有律师代表。为完成清单及财务说明书，郭先生必须与其现有的诉讼律师密切合作，以便准确、全面地确认所有潜在索赔人及其索赔主张。若没有此类协助，重组律师将无法确定附于其第 11 章申请书后的债权人名册及“前 20 名”无担保债权人清单是否完整。\n\n8. 在资产方面，郭先生的重要资产是对第三方的索赔主张，包括专业过失、违反信义义务以及诽谤的索赔主张。这些索赔主张的性质将在郭先生所聘请的诉讼律师协助下，在其即将提交的清单及说明书中予以说明。\n\n9. 然而，必须采取某些措施以确保现有律师的配合。首先，聘请该等律师必须符合《破产法典》第 327 条的规定。郭先生预计将在不久后提交动议，以聘请此类非重组性质的“日常业务专业人士”。他还可能需要财务顾问的协助，以编制其清单及财务说明书，并在此第 11 章案件审理期间准备定期的月度经营报告。\n\n10. 为支付所有这些专业人士的费用及其他开支，郭先生正在与某些潜在出借人商谈占有中债务人融资的条款。他预计将在\n\n短期内提交必要的法律文书。郭先生预计在确定聘请专业人士以及获得支付专业人士费用所需的融资后，将在几周内完成其清单及财务说明书。\n\n11. 此后，郭先生打算确立一个债权申报截止日，确定债权人必须在其第 11 章案件中主张债权以在任何第 11 章计划中获得清偿的日期。在通过债权核对程序（包括可能根据《破产规则》第 9027 条将上述诉讼移送至破产法院）确定受准许债权的规模后，郭先生将把重心转向第 11 章计划的确认程序。\n\n12. 郭先生提交本第 11 章案件的明确意图是全额清偿债权人的受准许债权。显然，他将需要其家庭成员的支持来提供资金以退出第 11 章程序。\n\n13. 在其第 11 章案件的现阶段，郭先生对确认并执行第 11 章计划的可行性抱有希望。但是，一切尚未确定。该流程的第一步是对其资产和负债进行完整、准确的陈述。对于该流程的这一部分，他需要短期的延期，以使其能够聘请必要的专业人士协助他，并获得管理本第 11 章案件所需的融资。\n\n请求救济的依据\n\n14. 《破产法典》第 521 条以及《破产规则》第 1007(b)-(c) 条要求第 11 章债务人在提交自愿申请时或在其后 14 天内提交规定的清单及财务说明书。参见 11 U.S.C. § 521；Fed. R. Bankr. P. 1007(b)-(c)。《破产规则》第 9006(b)(1) 条赋予法院“基于合理理由”延长提交清单及财务说明书截止期限的权力。此外，《破产法典》第 105(a) 条授权法院“签发为执行本法典各项规定所必要或适当的任何命令、程序或判决书”。11 U.S.C. § 105(a)。在此，如上所述，郭先生需要对适用期限给予短期延长。\n\n15. 郭先生认为存在正当理由以根据《破产规则》第 1007(c) 及 9006(b)(1) 条准予延期。如上文所解释，郭先生需要律师以及可能需要财务顾问的协助，以准确且详略得当地编制清单及财务说明书。与复杂的商业第 11 章案件不同（在这些案件中拥有成熟的“内部”财务团队且可协助准备清单及财务说明书），除非郭先生能够联系到多年来一直代表他的专业人士，否则他只能依靠自己。此外，他将需要把清单及财务说明书翻译成郭先生的母语中文，以确保他理解该等表格所要求提供的信息并能确认英文答复内容。因此，郭先生认为，将提交清单及财务说明书的期限延长约 60 天（即延至 2022年5月2日），且不损害其基于合理理由请求进一步延期的权利，在目前情况下是适当且合理的。借助于延期，郭先生及其顾问将能够更好地确保清单及财务说明书既全面又准确。\n\n送达通知\n\n16. 本动议的通知已提供给下列各方或其代理律师：（i）美国受托人；（ii）债务人前 20 名最大的每位无担保债权人；（iii）美国国税局；（iv）美国康涅狄格区联邦检察官办公室；以及（v）根据《本地规则》第 2002 条有权接收通知的任何其他此类当事方。债务人认为，鉴于实际情况，该通知已充分，无需提供其他或进一步通知。\n\n此前未提出请求\n\n17. 债务人此前未向本法院或任何其他法院提出过本动议所寻求的救济请求。\n\n结论\n\n为此，基于本文所述理由，债务人恭请法院做出\n\n准予本动议所请求的救济以及符合公正\n\n与合理原则的其他及进一步救济的裁定。\n\n日期：2022年2月24日\nBROWN RUDNICK LLP（布朗·鲁德尼克律师事务所）\n\n签署人：/s/ Dylan Kletter BROWN RUDNICK LLP 185 Asylum Street Hartford, CT 06103 收件人：Dylan Kletter, Esq. 电话：(860) 509-6500 传真：(860) 509-6653 电子邮件：dkletter@brownrudnick.com\n\nSeven Times Square New York, NY 10036 收件人：William R. Baldiga, Esq.（临时出庭代理申请待决） 收件人：Bennett S. Silverberg, Esq.（临时出庭代理申请待决） 收件人：Uriel Pinelo, Esq.（临时出庭代理申请待决） 电话：(212) 209-4800 传真：(212) 209-4801 电子邮件：wbaldiga@brownrudnick.com bsilverberg@brownrudnick.com upinelo@brownrudnick.com\n\n案号 22-50073 文档 27 提交于 02/24/22 录入于 02/24/22 20:26:53 第 7 页，共 9 页\n附件 A\n\n拟议裁定\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\n关于：: 第 11 章\n\nHo Wan Kwok（郭文贵），: 案号：22-50073 (JAM)\n\n: 相关案卷编号：\n债务人。:\n\n关于延长债务人提交其资产与负债清单及财务状况说明书期限的裁定\n\n审理了郭先生关于依据《破产法典》第 105(a) 及 521 条、《破产规则》第 1007 及 9006 条以及《本地规则》第 1007-1 条做出延长其提交清单及说明书期限的裁定（下称“本裁定”）的动议（下称“本动议”）[1]，如本动议所述；且本法院认定，根据 28 U.S.C. §§ 157 及 1334 以及美国康涅狄格区联邦地区法院的移送常设命令（经修订），本法院对审理本动议及其所请求的救济具有管辖权；且根据 28 U.S.C. § 157(b)，审理本动议及其所请求的救济属于核心程序；且根据 28 U.S.C. §§ 1408 及 1409，本法院管辖地是正当的；且鉴于实际情况并依据《破产规则》和《本地规则》，关于本动议的正当、充分且适当的通知已送达，且看来无需提供其他或进一步通知；且已举行听证会以审理本动议所请求的救济（下称“听证会”）；并在本\n\n1 本文中使用但未另行定义的首字母大写术语应具有本动议中赋予它们的含义。\n\n法院进行的所有程序的基础上；经正当审议且存在充分理由，特此命令、判决并裁定：\n\n1. 本动议按本文所述予以准许。\n\n2. Mr. Kwok（郭先生）提交其资产明细表与财务状况说明书（Schedules and Statements）的截止日期延长至 May 2, 2022（含当日），且不妨碍其在提出正当理由的前提下寻求进一步延期的权利。\n\n3. 本法院（This Court）对因本裁定（Order）的执行、解释及/或强制执行引起的或与之相关的一切事项保留管辖权。","key_entities":["Kwok","CIPA","Ho Wan Kwok","CCP","Je","Chinese Communist Party"],"ecf_references":[],"word_count":2090,"status":"published","published_at":"2022-02-24 00:00:00","created_at":"2022-02-24","updated_at":"2026-08-23 13:13:17"}