{"id":"court_ctb_2801_0","court":"CTB","case_no":"22-50073","doc_number":2801,"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| 1<br>HO WAN KWOK,<br>et al.,                                     | :<br>:      | Case No. 22-50073 (JAM) |  |\n| Debtors.                                                         | :<br>:<br>: | (Jointly Administered)  |  |\n| -----------------------------------------------------------      | x           |                         |  |\n\n### **CHAPTER 11 TRUSTEE'S MOTION (I) AUTHORIZING SEALED FILING OF PROPOSED STIPULATED TOLLING ORDERS AND (II) APPROVING AND ENTERING PROPOSED STIPULATED TOLLING ORDERS**\n\nLuc A. Despins, in his capacity as the chapter 11 trustee (the \"Trustee\") appointed in the chapter 11 case (the \"Chapter 11 Case\") of Ho Wan Kwok (the \"Debtor\"), by and through his undersigned counsel, hereby moves (the \"Motion\"), pursuant to District of Connecticut Local Rule of Civil Procedure (the \"Local Civil Rules\") 5(e), District of Connecticut Local Rule of Bankruptcy Procedure (the \"Local Bankruptcy Rules\") 9077-1, Federal Rule of Bankruptcy Procedure (the \"Bankruptcy Rules\") 9018, and sections 105(a) and 107(b) of the Title 11 of the U.S. Code (the \"Bankruptcy Code\"), for entry of the proposed order attached hereto as **Exhibit A** (the \"Proposed Order\"): (a) authorizing the sealed filing of certain proposed stipulated orders tolling statutes of limitations and reserving rights (as more particularly set forth therein) relating to potential claims by the Trustee against certain entities and individuals (the \"Proposed Stipulated Tolling Orders\"); and (b) approving and entering the Proposed Stipulated Tolling Orders. The\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\nProposed Stipulated Tolling Orders have been filed separately under seal as **Exhibits B-1 through B-20** to this Motion. 2 In support of this Motion, the Trustee respectfully states the following:\n\n## **JURISDICTION AND VENUE**\n\n1. 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 is a core proceeding within the meaning of 28 U.S.C. § 157(b).\n\n2. Venue in this District is proper pursuant to 28 U.S.C. §§ 1408 and 1409.\n\n# **RELEVANT FACTS**\n\n3. On February 15, 2022 (the \"Petition Date\"), the Debtor filed with the Court a voluntary petition for relief under chapter 11 of the Bankruptcy Code.\n\n4. On March 21, 2022, the United States Trustee appointed an Official Committee of Unsecured Creditors (\"Committee\") in the Debtor's Chapter 11 Case. No examiner has been appointed in the Chapter 11 Case.\n\n5. On June 15, 2022, the Court entered a memorandum of decision and order [Main Case ECF No. 465] (the \"Trustee Order\") directing the United States Trustee to appoint a chapter 11 trustee in the Chapter 11 Case. Pursuant to the Trustee Order, the United States Trustee selected Luc A. Despins as the Trustee.\n\n6. On July 8, 2022, the Court entered an order granting the appointment of Luc A. Despins as the Trustee in the Chapter 11 Case [Main Case ECF No. 523].\n\n7. Since his appointment, the Trustee has undertaken an extensive investigation into the Debtor's business and financial affairs to, among other things, identify potential claims the\n\n<sup>2</sup> The Trustee remains in discussion with several potential Counter-Parties and may file additional Proposed Stipulated Tolling Orders following the filing of this Motion. The Trustee requests that such additional Proposed Stipulated Tolling Orders be considered pursuant to this Motion as well.\n\nDebtor's chapter 11 estate may have against certain individuals and entities that may have received transfers of interests of the Debtor in property and/or of property of the Debtor's chapter 11 estate, including transfers by the Debtor through his alter ego companies.\n\n8. After good-faith discussions and subject to the approval of the Bankruptcy Court, the Trustee has entered into the Proposed Stipulated Tolling Orders with certain entities and individuals (collectively, the \"Counter-Parties\") to (as more specifically set forth therein) toll any applicable statutes of limitations during the periods described therein and to otherwise reserve the parties' respective rights while they engage in further good-faith discussions.\n\n9. The Trustee and the Counter-Parties desire to maintain the Proposed Stipulated Tolling Orders as confidential while the parties discuss their respective positions and potential resolutions of any claims. Maintaining such confidentiality will facilitate these discussions and thereby provide value to the Debtor's chapter 11 estate.\n\n10. At a recent hearing, the Trustee indicated his intention to file the Proposed Stipulated Tolling Orders under seal for the reasons set forth in this Motion and the Court indicated that it would be willing to consider them on that basis.\n\n#### **RELIEF REQUESTED AND BASIS THEREFORE**\n\n11. By this Motion, the Trustee requests entry of the Proposed Order: (i) authorizing the Trustee to redact, as necessary, and file under seal the Proposed Stipulated Tolling Orders; and (ii) authorizing and entering the Proposed Stipulated Tolling Orders.\n\n12. Section 107(b) of the Bankruptcy Code authorizes courts to issue orders to protect entities with respect to certain confidential or commercial information. 11 U.S.C. § 107(b). Further, Bankruptcy Rule 9018 establishes the procedure by which a party in interest may obtain a protective order authorizing the filing of a document under seal pursuant to section 107(b) of the\n\n3\n\nBankruptcy Code. Upon the determination that the information sought to be protected falls within one of the categories enumerated in section 107(b) of the Bankruptcy Code, \"the court is required to protect a requesting interested party and has no discretion to deny the application.\" *Video Software Dealers Ass'n v. Orion Pictures Corp. (In re Orion Pictures Corp.)*, 21 F.3d 24, 27 (2d Cir. 1994).\n\n13. Because the confidentiality of the Proposed Stipulated Tolling Orders may impact the Trustee's negotiations with the Counter-Parties and, potentially, the value of any resolutions reached in such negotiations, they constitute commercially sensitive information to the Trustee and to the Counter-Parties.\n\n14. Approval of the Proposed Stipulated Tolling Orders will allow the parties with valuable additional time to continue discussions without placing additional burden on the Bankruptcy Court and the Debtor's chapter 11 estate.\n\n*[THE REMAINDER OF THIS PAGE IS INTENTIONALLY BLANK.]*\n\nWHEREFORE, the Court should grant this Motion and enter such other relief as is just and\n\nproper.\n\nDated: February 12, 2024 LUC A. DESPINS,\n\nNew Haven, Connecticut 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*Counsel for the Chapter 11 Trustee*\n\n## **Exhibit A**\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| -----------------------------------------------------------<br>x |             |                         |  |\n\n## **[PROPOSED] ORDER GRANTING CHAPTER 11 TRUSTEE'S MOTION (I) AUTHORIZING SEALED FILING OF PROPOSED STIPULATED TOLLING ORDERS AND (II) APPROVING AND ENTERING PROPOSED STIPULATED TOLLING ORDERS**\n\nUPON CONSIDERATION OF the motion (the \"Motion\") of Chapter 11 Trustee Luc A.\n\nDespins (the \"Trustee\") requesting approval of the sealed filing of the Proposed Stipulated Tolling Orders and authorizing and approving and entering the Proposed Stipulated Tolling Orders, and good cause having been shown, and the Court having found that the sealed filing of the Proposed Stipulated Tolling Orders<sup>2</sup> is warranted under the circumstances because they constitute commercially sensitive information the disclosure of which could adversely impact the value of claims held by the Debtor's chapter 11 estate, and the relief provided in this Order being narrowly tailored to serve the foregoing purposes, it is by the Court, hereby\n\n**ORDERED**, that the Motion is granted as set forth herein; and it is further\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\n<sup>2</sup> Capitalized terms not otherwise defined in this Order adopt the definitions as set forth in the Motion.\n\n**ORDERED**, that the Proposed Stipulated Tolling Orders are hereby approved; and it is further\n\n**ORDERED**, that the Court shall separately enter the Proposed Stipulated Tolling Orders on the docket under seal in the Chapter 11 Case; and it is further\n\n**ORDERED**, that within seven (7) days of the Court's entry of the Proposed Stipulated Tolling Orders, the Trustee shall serve a copy of each Order as entered on the respective Counter-Party; and it is further\n\n**ORDERED,** that the Trustee is authorized to file the Proposed Stipulated Tolling Orders under seal which shall remain under seal and shall not remain publicly available, unless and until permitted by further order of this Court; and it is further\n\n**ORDERED**, that, pursuant to 11 U.S.C. § 107(c)(3), the United States Trustee has a statutory right of full access to any information and/or document filed on the docket or submitted to the Court in this case; the United States Trustee shall comply with the obligations of 11 U.S.C. § 107(c)(3)(B); and it is further\n\n**ORDERED**, that the terms and conditions of this Order shall be immediately effective and enforceable upon its entry; and it is further\n\n**ORDERED**, that the Trustee is authorized to take all actions necessary to effectuate the relief granted herein; and it is further\n\n**ORDERED**, that the Court shall retain jurisdiction with respect to all matters arising from or related to the interpretation or implementation of this Order.\n\n2","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\n关于：　:\n:　第 11 章\n\nHo Wan Kwok（郭文贵）\n等，　:\n:　案号：22-50073 (JAM)\n债务人。　:\n:\n:　（合并审理）\n-----------------------------------------------------------　x\n第 11 章受托人关于 (I) 准予密封提交拟议的约定中止时效命令以及 (II) 批准并作出拟议的约定中止时效命令的动议\n\nLuc A. Despins 以其在 Ho Wan Kwok（债务人）第 11 章案件（“第 11 章案件”）中被指定的第 11 章受托人（“受托人”）之身份，特此通过其下述签字律师，依据《District of Connecticut Local Rule of Civil Procedure（康涅狄格区民事诉讼地方规则）》（“民事地方规则”）第 5(e) 条、《District of Connecticut Local Rule of Bankruptcy Procedure（康涅狄格区破产诉讼地方规则）》（“破产地方规则”）第 9077-1 条、《Federal Rule of Bankruptcy Procedure（联邦破产诉讼规则）》（“破产规则”）第 9018 条以及《Title 11 of the U.S. Code（美国法典第 11 编）》（“破产法典”）第 105(a) 条和第 107(b) 条提出动议（“本动议”），请求作出本动议所附附件 A 所示的拟议裁定（“拟议裁定”）：(a) 准予密封提交若干拟议的约定中止诉讼时效并保留权利（如其中具体规定）的命令，该等命令涉及受托人针对若干实体及个人可能享有的主张（“拟议约定中止时效命令”）；以及 (b) 批准并作出拟议约定中止时效命令。\n\n1 本等第 11 章案件中的债务人为 Ho Wan Kwok（亦称郭文贵、Miles Guo 和 Miles Kwok，以及其他众多化名）（纳税识别号后四位：9595）、Genever Holdings LLC（纳税识别号后四位：8202）和 Genever Holdings Corporation。受托人、Genever Holdings LLC 和 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 Ho Wan Kwok 破产财产受托人 Luc A. Despins（仅用于接收通知和通信）。\n\n拟议约定中止时效命令已作为本动议的附件 B-1 至 B-20 单独密封提交。2 为支持本动议，受托人谨陈述如下：\n管辖权与审判地\n\n1. 依据 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方法院）的常设移交命令，本法院对本案具有管辖权。本案属于 28 U.S.C. § 157(b) 含义范围内的核心程序。\n\n2. 依据 28 U.S.C. §§ 1408 和 1409，本司法区的审判地是适当的。\n相关事实\n\n3. 2022年2月15日（“申请日”），债务人向本法院提交了依据破产法典第 11 章寻求救济的自愿申请书。\n\n4. 2022年3月21日，United States Trustee（美国受托人办公室）在债务人的第 11 章案件中指定了一个无担保债权人官方委员会（“委员会”）。本第 11 章案件中未指定审查员。\n\n5. 2022年6月15日，本法院作出了决定备忘录和裁定［主案 ECF 编号 465］（“受托人裁定”），指示美国受托人办公室在第 11 章案件中指定一名第 11 章受托人。根据受托人裁定，美国受托人办公室选定 Luc A. Despins 为受托人。\n\n6. 2022年7月8日，本法院作出裁定，批准指定 Luc A. Despins 为第 11 章案件中的受托人［主案 ECF 编号 523］。\n\n7. 自被指定以来，受托人对债务人的业务和财务状况进行了广泛调查，其中包括查明债务人的第 11 章破产财产可能对某些个人和实体享有的潜在主张，该等个人和实体可能曾接收过债务人在财产中的权益和/或债务人第 11 章破产财产的转让，包括债务人通过其人格混同公司进行的转让。\n\n2 受托人仍在与若干潜在交易相对方进行讨论，并可能在本动议提交后提交额外的拟议约定中止时效命令。受托人请求该等额外拟议约定中止时效命令亦根据本动议予以审议。\n\n8. 经过诚信磋商并在破产法院批准的前提下，受托人已与若干实体和个人（统称“交易相对方”）达成了拟议约定中止时效命令，以（如其中更具体的规定）在其中所述的期限内中止任何适用的诉讼时效，并在各方进行进一步诚信磋商的同时以其他方式保留各方各自的权利。\n\n9. 受托人与交易相对方希望在各方就各自立场及任何主张的潜在解决方案进行磋商期间，对拟议约定中止时效命令予以保密。保持该等保密性将促进这些磋商，从而为债务人的第 11 章破产财产带来价值。\n\n10. 在近期的一次听证会上，受托人表明了其基于本动议中所述理由密封提交拟议约定中止时效命令的意向，且法院表明愿意在此基础上予以审议。\n所请求的救济及其依据\n\n11. 通过本动议，受托人请求作出拟议裁定：(i) 准许受托人在必要时进行遮掩处理并密封提交拟议约定中止时效命令；以及 (ii) 批准并作出拟议约定中止时效命令。\n\n12. 破产法典第 107(b) 条授权法院发布命令以保护涉及特定机密或商业信息的实体。11 U.S.C. § 107(b)。此外，破产规则第 9018 条确立了利害关系方依据破产法典第 107(b) 条获取准予密封提交文件的保护令之程序。一旦认定所寻求保护的信息属于破产法典第 107(b) 条所列类别之一，“法院必须保护提出请求的利害关系方，且无权拒绝该申请。”Video Software Dealers Ass'n 诉 Orion Pictures Corp. 案（Orion Pictures Corp. 破产案），21 F.3d 24, 27 (2d Cir. 1994)。\n\n13. 由于拟议约定中止时效命令的保密性可能会影响受托人与交易相对方的谈判，并可能影响在谈判中达成的任何解决方案的价值，因此对受托人和交易相对方而言，它们构成了商业敏感信息。\n\n14. 批准拟议约定中止时效命令将为各方提供宝贵的额外时间以继续磋商，而不会给破产法院和债务人的第 11 章破产财产带来额外负担。\n\n［本页以下部分特意留白。］\n\n据此，法院应当批准本动议，并给予公正和适当的其他救济。\n\n日期：2024年2月12日\n康涅狄格州纽黑文\n\nLUC A. DESPINS，\n第 11 章受托人\n\n签署人：/s/ Patrick R. Linsey\nDouglas S. Skalka (ct00616)\nPatrick R. Linsey (ct29437)\nNEUBERT, PEPE & MONTEITH, P.C.\n195 Church Street, 13th Floor\nNew Haven, Connecticut 06510\n(203) 781-2847\ndskalka@npmlaw.com\nplinsey@npmlaw.com\n\n第 11 章受托人代理律师\n附件 A\nUNITED 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\n关于：　:\n:　第 11 章\n\nHO WAN KWOK（郭文贵）\n等，　:\n:\n:　案号：22-50073 (JAM)\n债务人。　:\n:　（合并审理）\n\nx\n［拟议］准予第 11 章受托人关于 (I) 密封提交拟议的约定中止时效命令以及 (II) 批准并作出拟议的约定中止时效命令之动议的裁定\n\n经审议第 11 章受托人 Luc A. Despins（“受托人”）请求批准密封提交拟议约定中止时效命令并授权、批准及作出拟议约定中止时效命令的动议（“本动议”），且已证明具有正当理由，并且本法院认定，在当前情况下密封提交拟议约定中止时效命令2是合理的，因为它们构成了商业敏感信息，披露该等信息可能会对债务人第 11 章破产财产所持有的权利主张之价值产生不利影响，且本裁定中规定的救济经过严格剪裁以服务于前述目的，本法院特此\n\n裁定：本动议按本文所述予以批准；并且进一步\n\n1 本等第 11 章案件中的债务人为 Ho Wan Kwok（亦称郭文贵、Miles Guo 和 Miles Kwok，以及其他众多化名）（纳税识别号后四位：9595）、Genever Holdings LLC（纳税识别号后四位：8202）和 Genever Holdings Corporation。受托人、Genever Holdings LLC 和 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 Ho Wan Kwok 破产财产受托人 Luc A. Despins（仅用于接收通知和通信）。\n\n2 本裁定中未另行定义的首字母大写术语采用本动议中所规定的定义。\n\n裁定：拟议约定中止时效命令特此获得批准；并且进一步\n\n裁定：本法院应在第 11 章案件的案卷中单独密封录入拟议约定中止时效命令；并且进一步\n\n裁定：在本法院作出拟议约定中止时效命令后七 (7) 日内，受托人应将已作出的各项命令的副本送达各自的交易相对方；并且进一步\n\n裁定：准许受托人密封提交拟议约定中止时效命令，该等命令应保持密封且不得向公众公开，除非且直至本法院进一步的命令允许；并且进一步\n\n裁定：依据 11 U.S.C. § 107(c)(3)，美国受托人办公室享有对本案案卷中所归档或向法院提交的任何信息和/或文件进行完全查阅的法定权利；美国受托人办公室应遵守 11 U.S.C. § 107(c)(3)(B) 的法定义务；并且进一步\n\n裁定：本裁定的条款和条件自作出之日起立即生效并具有执行力；并且进一步\n\n裁定：受托人有权采取一切必要行动以落实本文所准予的救济；并且进一步\n\n裁定：本法院对因本裁定的解释或执行而产生或与之相关的所有事项保留管辖权。","key_entities":["Kwok","Ho Wan Kwok","Despins","Guo","Miles Guo","Paul Hastings","Je"],"ecf_references":[{"doc_number":465,"court":"CTB"},{"doc_number":523,"court":"CTB"}],"word_count":1714,"status":"published","published_at":null,"created_at":null,"updated_at":"2026-08-23 13:00:56"}