{"id":"court_ctb_2975_0","court":"CTB","case_no":"22-50073","doc_number":2975,"sub_number":0,"doc_type":"UNKNOWN","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| -------------------------------------------------------------------- | x |\n|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|---------------------------------------------------------------|\n| In re: | :
:
Chapter 11 |\n| HO WAN KWOK, et al.,
1 | :
:
Case No. 22-50073 (JAM) |\n| Debtor. | :
:
(Jointly Administered) |\n| --------------------------------------------------------------------
LUC A. DESPINS, Chapter 11 Trustee, | x
:
:
Adv. Proceeding 24-05273 |\n| Plaintiff, | :
: |\n| v. | :
: |\n| HING CHI NGOK, MEI GUO, QIANG GUO,
WILLIAM JE, YVETTE WANG, XUEBING WANG,
MAX KRASNER, CHUNGUANG HAN,
YONGBING ZHANG, AARON MITCHELL, GTV
MEDIA GROUP, INC., SARACA MEDIA GROUP,
INC., HUDSON DIAMOND NY LLC, G-CLUB US
OPERATIONS LLC, BRAVO LUCK LIMITED,
GREENWICH LAND LLC, CRANE ADVISORY
GROUP L.L.C., G-CLUB OPERATIONS LLC, GS
SECURITY SOLUTIONS INC., GYPSY MEI FOOD
SERVICES LLC, HCHK TECHNOLOGIES INC.,
LEXINGTON PROPERTY AND STAFFING, | :
:
:
:
:
:
:
:
:
:
:
:
: |\n| HAMILTON OPPORTUNITY FUND SPC, TAURUS
FUND LLC, TAURUS MANAGEMENT LLC,
LEADING SHINE NY LTD., ACA CAPITAL
GROUP LIMITED, RULE OF LAW FOUNDATION
III, INC., RULE OF LAW SOCIETY IV, INC.,
HAMILTON PE FUND SP, HAMILTON DIGITAL | :
:
:
:
:
: |\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| ASSETS FUND SP, HIMALAYA CURRENCY
CLEARING PTY. LTD, HIMALAYA
INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL GROUP LIMITED,
HOLY CITY HONG KONG VENTURES, LTD.,
VICTOR CERDA, ANA C. IZQUIERDO-HENN,
HAITHAM KHALED, JESSICA
MASTROGIOVANNI, ALEX | :
:
:
:
:
:
: |\n|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-------------------------------------------|\n| HADJICHARALAMBOUS, BEILE LI, ANTHONY
DIBATTISTA, GLADYS CHOW, SCOTT
BARNETT, HAORAN HE, HSIN SHIH YU,
LIMARIE REYES MOLINARIS, NICHOLAS
SAVIO, QIDONG XIA, YAN CHUN LIU, GETTR
USA, INC., G CLUB INTERNATIONAL LIMITED, | :
:
:
:
:
: |\n| GNEWS MEDIA GROUP INC. HIMALAYA
INTERNATIONAL CLEARING LTD., HUDSON
DIAMOND HOLDINGS LLC, LAWALL &
MITCHELL, LLC, O.S.C. ORBIT SERVICE
COMPANY LLC, and SAVIO LAW LLC | :
:
:
:
:
: |\n| Defendants.
-------------------------------------------------------------------- | :
x |\n| LUC A. DESPINS, Chapter 11 Trustee, | :
:
:
Adv. Proceeding 24-05249 |\n| Plaintiff, | :
: |\n| v. | :
: |\n| ACA CAPITAL GROUP LTD., ALFA GLOBAL
VENTURES LIMITED, ALFONSO GLOBAL
VENTURES LIMITED, ANTON DEVELOPMENT
LIMITED, BRAVO LUCK LIMITED, CELESTIAL
TIDE LIMITED, CHINA GOLDEN SPRING
GROUP (HONG KONG) LTD., EASTERN PROFIT
CORPORATION LIMITED, FREEDOM MEDIA
VENTURES LIMITED, G CLUB INTERNATIONAL
LIMITED, G CLUB OPERATIONS LLC,
G FASHION (CA), G FASHION HOLD CO A
LIMITED, G FASHION HOLD CO B LIMITED, G | :
:
:
:
:
:
:
:
: |\n\n| SPC, HAORAN HE, HIMALAYA CURRENCY | : |\n|----------------------------------------|---|\n| CLEARING PTY LTD., HIMALAYA | : |\n| INTERNATIONAL CLEARING LIMITED, | : |\n| HIMALAYA INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL | : |\n| GROUP LIMITED, HIMALAYA INTERNATIONAL | : |\n| PAYMENTS LIMITED, HIMALAYA | : |\n| INTERNATIONAL RESERVES LIMITED, JOVIAL | : |\n| CENTURY INTERNATIONAL LIMITED, | |\n| K LEGACY LTD., KARIN MAISTRELLO, | : |\n| LEADING SHINE LIMITED, MAJOR LEAD | : |\n| INTERNATIONAL LIMITED, MEI GUO, NEXT | : |\n| TYCOON INVESTMENTS LIMITED, QIANG | : |\n| GUO, RULE OF LAW FOUNDATION III, INC., | : |\n| RULE OF LAW SOCIETY IV, INC., SARACA | : |\n| MEDIA GROUP, INC., SEVEN MISSION GROUP | : |\n| LLC, WILLIAM JE, WISE CREATION | : |\n| INTERNATIONAL LIMITED, | : |\n| | : |\n| Defendants. | : |\n| | |\n\n--------------------------------------------------------------------\n\n## **TRUSTEE'S MOTION TO STAY ADVERSARY PROCEEDINGS AND OBTAIN OTHER RELIEF PENDING DISPOSITION OF CRIMINAL PROCEEDING**\n\nx\n\nLuc A. Despins, in his capacity as the chapter 11 trustee (the \"Trustee\") appointed in the chapter 11 case of Ho Wan Kwok (the \"Debtor\"), by and through his undersigned counsel, hereby files this motion (the \"Motion\") for entry of the proposed order filed herewith as **Exhibit 1** (the \"Proposed Order\") staying the adversary proceedings styled *Despins v. Ngok, et al*., Adv. Proc. No. 24-5273 (the \"Civil RICO Action\") and *Despins v. ACA Capital Group Ltd. et al.*, Adv. Proc. No. 24-5249 (the \"Omnibus Alter Ego Action,\" and together with the Civil RICO Action, the \"Subject Adversary Proceedings\") and addressing other matters pending disposition of the criminal case pending in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York (the \"Criminal Court\") captioned *United States of America v. Ho Wan Kwok, et al.*, Case No. 23- CR-118 (AT) (the \"Criminal Case\").\n\n#### **PRELIMINARY STATEMENT**\n\n1. On February 15, 2024, the Trustee commenced the Civil RICO Action and the Omnibus Alter Ego Action against a total of approximately 109 defendants. The Civil RICO Action alleges that the Debtor and a number of his associates conspired to form and operate, and did operate, a fraudulent enterprise to keep the Debtor's assets from his creditors, committing a number of predicate criminal acts in the process. The Trustee seeks damages from the Civil RICO Defendants2 for the harm their actions caused to creditors. Meanwhile, the Omnibus Alter Ego Action seeks a declaratory judgment that various shell companies and other entities are the Debtor's alter egos (and/or beneficially owned by him), such that their assets are property of the estate. On February 29, 2024, summons were issued in the Subject Adversary Proceedings. The Trustee is in the process of serving the Civil RICO/Alter Ego Defendants.\n\n2. The Trustee commenced the Civil RICO Action and the Omnibus Alter Ego Action when he did to, among other things, ensure he met the statutory deadline of February 15, 2024 (the \"February 15 Deadline\") to bring certain types of claims under title 11 of the United States Code (the \"Bankruptcy Code\"). In addition to the Civil RICO Action and the Omnibus Alter Ego Action, the Trustee also commenced approximately 270 other actions on or shortly before the February 15 Deadline. Most of these other actions involve claims to recover actual or constructive fraudulent transfers and unauthorized post-petition transfers.\n\n3. The Trustee is keenly aware of the administrative burdens that the simultaneous pursuit of such a large number of actions may place on the parties and the Court. The Civil RICO Action and the Omnibus Alter Ego Action, in particular, could be especially taxing on the parties' and the Court's resources given the complexity of the issues they raise and the number of\n\n2 Capitalized terms not defined in this Preliminary Statement have the meanings given to such terms in the remainder the Motion.\n\ndefendants they involve. For these reasons, the Trustee believes a temporary stay of some of the recently-commenced litigation is necessary from a case management standpoint.\n\n4. The Trustee also believes a stay is warranted in light of the forthcoming trial in the Debtor's Criminal Case, which is set to begin on or around May 20, 2024. As the Court is aware, the Debtor has filed a renewed motion with the Criminal Court for an order staying this chapter 11 case in its entirety based on, among other things, the allegation that the Trustee's pursuit of the claims at issue in the Civil RICO Action and the Omnibus Alter Ego Action would interfere with his criminal defense rights.3 Although the Trustee has objected to the Debtor's motion and believes it lacks merit, the Trustee has informed the Criminal Court that he will seek to stay the Civil RICO Action and the Omnibus Alter Ego Action in order to moot the Debtor's arguments and eliminate any possibility of a global stay of the Debtor's chapter 11 case.\n\n5. For these reasons and the others set forth herein, the Trustee believes it is in the estate's best interest for the Court to stay the Subject Adversary Proceedings as set forth in the Proposed Order until the conclusion of the trial in the Criminal Case. During this stay period, the Trustee would be able to continue serving the Civil RICO/Alter Ego Defendants (to ensure they receive notice of the litigation as soon as possible) and would also reserve his rights, upon notice to the parties in the Criminal Case, to seek injunctive or other relief as necessary to guard against the dissipation of assets or otherwise protect the estate. The Subject Adversary Proceedings would otherwise be stayed as set forth in the Proposed Order.\n\n6. In addition to staying the Subject Adversary Proceedings, the Trustee also requests an order temporarily staying depositions in the main bankruptcy case, including without limitation\n\n3 *See* Criminal Case, [ECF No. 218]. References to docket entries in the Criminal Case will be presented as \"ECF No. [ ],\" while references to docket entries in the Subject Adversary Proceedings or the main bankruptcy case will be presented as \"Docket No.\" or \"Dkt. No.\"\n\nthe taking of depositions pursuant to Rule 2004 of the Federal Rules of Bankruptcy Procedure. Such a stay is necessary because the Trustee wishes to avoid any possibility of deposing parties who are witnesses in the Criminal Case, otherwise interfering with the Government's prosecution of the Criminal Case, or giving the Debtor further grounds to support his requested stay of his chapter 11 case in its entirety. The Trustee would reserve the right during the stay period to move the Court for permission to take a deposition, upon notice to the parties to the Criminal Case, if necessary to protect estate assets or ensure the orderly administration of the chapter 11 estate.\n\n7. For these reasons, and because the requested stays are well-within the sound discretion of the Court in managing its docket, the Trustee respectfully requests this Motion be granted and the Court enter the Proposed Order imposing the requested stays.\n\n## **BACKGROUND**\n\n8. On February 15, 2022, the Debtor commenced the above-captioned chapter 11 case (the \"Chapter 11 Case\"). On June 15, 2022, the Bankruptcy Court entered a memorandum of decision and order directing the United States Trustee to appoint a chapter 11 trustee. Main Case,4 [Docket No. 465]. On July 8, 2022, the Bankruptcy Court entered an order appointing the Trustee. *Id.,* [Docket No. 523].\n\n9. On January 18, 2024, the Trustee filed the *Motion for Entry of Order Extending Deadline for Trustee to File Avoidance Actions under Bankruptcy Code Sections 108, 546(a), and 549* [Docket No. 2509] seeking to extend the deadline to file avoidance actions from February 15, 2024 to August 15, 2024 to allow him to complete his investigation.\n\n10. On February 15, 2024, the Court entered its *Memorandum of Decision and Order Granting in Part Motion to Extend Deadlines* [Docket No. 2921] (the \"Extension Decision\"),\n\n4 References to the \"Main Case\" are to docket number 22-50073.\n\nextending the deadline to file avoidance actions until August 15, 2024, which date is subject to further extensions upon notice and hearing.\n\n11. On or shortly before the February 15 Deadline and the Court's Extension Decision, in accordance with his statutory obligations, the Trustee filed approximately 270 avoidance actions, the Omnibus Alter Ego Action and the Civil RICO Action.\n\n12. The Omnibus Alter Ego Action was filed against 52 defendants (the \"Alter Ego Defendants\") and seeks a ruling that, among other things, the Alter Ego Defendants are the alter ego of the Debtor, and/or the Debtor beneficially owns the Alter Ego Defendants, and the property of the Alter Ego Defendants is thus property of the estate.\n\n13. The Civil RICO Action was filed against 57 defendants5 (the \"Civil RICO Defendants,\" together with the Alter Ego Defendants, the \"Civil RICO/Alter Ego Defendants\"). The Civil RICO Action contains two causes of action: violations of the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (\"RICO\") and conspiracy to violate RICO. Both the substantive count and the conspiracy count were brought against all of the Civil RICO Defendants.\n\n14. In or around March 2023, an indictment was returned by a grand jury against the Debtor, William Je, and Yvette Wang (together, the \"Criminal Defendants\") and eventually unsealed before the Criminal Court. *See* Criminal Case, [ECF Nos. 1 and 2]. On January 4, 2024, the United States filed a superseding indictment that is the operative indictment as of the date of this filing (the \"Superseding Indictment\"). Criminal Case, [ECF No. 215].\n\n15. The Superseding Indictment was discussed in the Civil RICO Action and Omnibus Alter Ego Action. In particular, in the Civil RICO Action, the Trustee invokes and relies on the\n\n5 Certain entities and/or individuals are defendants in both of the Subject Adversary Proceedings.\n\nSuperseding Indictment in the Criminal Case as illustrating numerous illegal acts involved in the fraudulent scheme detailed therein.\n\n16. The Superseding Indictment in the Criminal Case discusses various alleged illegal acts of the Debtor, William Je, Yvette Wang and their affiliated entities, many of which are Civil RICO Defendants and/or Alter Ego Defendants.\n\n17. In the Criminal Case, on August 30, 2023, the Debtor filed the *Motion for an Order and Writ Staying Bankruptcy Cases or in the Alternative for Other Relief* [ECF No. 129] (the \"First Stay Motion\") seeking an order from the Criminal Court staying the Chapter 11 Case, as well as the bankruptcy cases (the \"Genever Cases,\" and together with the Chapter 11 Case, the \"Chapter 11 Cases\") of Genever Holdings Corporation (\"Genever BVI\") Genever Holdings LLC (\"Genever US\" and, together with Genever BVI, the \"Genever Debtors\"), which are being jointly administered with the Chapter 11 Case and involve the Debtor. On September 21, 2023, the Trustee and Genever Debtors filed a response to the First Stay Motion. Criminal Case, [ECF No.145]. On December 21, 2023, the Criminal Court denied the Debtor's First Stay Motion. *Id.,* [ECF No. 204].\n\n18. Subsequently, on January 4, 2024, the Debtor filed a *Renewed Motion to Stay Bankruptcy Cases and Motion for Reconsideration* (the \"Renewed Stay Motion\") in the Criminal Case to stay all three Chapter 11 Cases. *Id.,* [ECF No. 218]. On January 19, 2024, the Trustee and the Genever Debtors filed a response to the Renewed Stay Motion. *Id.,* [ECF No. 234]. In support of both the First Stay Motion and the Renewed Stay Motion, the Debtor has argued that there are issues in the Chapter 11 Cases that implicate his Constitutional rights and could prejudice his defense in the Criminal Case. The Renewed Stay Motion remains pending before the Criminal Court in the Criminal Case.\n\n19. The trial in the Criminal Case is scheduled to begin on or around May 20, 2024.\n\n## **RELIEF REQUESTED**\n\n20. The Trustee respectfully requests that the Court (a) stay the Subject Adversary Proceedings as set forth in the Proposed Order until the conclusion of the trial in the Criminal Case, subject to the Trustee's ability to (i) continue serving the Civil RICO/Alter Ego Defendants and (ii) upon application to this Court and notice to the parties in the Criminal Case, seek injunctive or other relief in the Subject Adversary Proceedings as necessary to protect the chapter 11 estate, and (b) stay the taking of depositions in the Chapter 11 Cases or in associated adversary proceedings, until the conclusion of the trial in the Criminal Case, subject to the Trustee's ability to move for permission to take depositions, with notice to the parties to the Criminal Case.\n\n### **BASIS FOR RELIEF REQUESTED**\n\n21. It is undisputed that all courts have the inherent power to stay civil cases before them. *Landis v. N. Am. Co*., 299 U.S. 248, 254–55 (1936). It is within a court's discretion to stay civil litigation during the pendency of a concurrent criminal action \"when the interests of justice seem to require such action, sometimes at the request of the [plaintiff], ... sometimes at the request of the defense[.]\" *United States v. Kordel*, 397 U.S. 1, 12 n.27 (1970).\n\n22. \"Courts have the inherent power to control their dockets while taking into account the 'economy of time and effort' for the court, counsel, and litigants.\" *In re Kowalski*, 633 B.R. 822, 827 (Bankr. N.D. Ill. 2021) (quoting *Landis v. N. Am. Co*., 299 U.S. at 254). Several bankruptcy courts have stayed adversary proceedings until the disposition of a concurrent criminal case. *See, e.g.*, *In re Julmice*, 458 B.R. 657, 661-62 (Bankr. E.D.N.Y. 2011) (staying adversary proceeding given the ongoing criminal proceeding); *In re Kowalski*, 633 B.R. at 829 (staying adversary proceeding \"until the conclusion of the criminal case in which Jan Kowalski and the\n\nDebtor are charged with conspiracy to embezzle bank funds, bankruptcy fraud, and concealment of assets, among other charges.\").\n\n23. The stay requested by the Trustee herein is appropriate both to help manage the volume of litigation before this Court and to prevent any possibility of interference with the Debtor's pending Criminal Case, in which trial will soon be commencing. As noted above, the Trustee has recently filed more than 270 adversary proceedings in this Court, including the Subject Adversary Proceedings. Given the issues and the number of defendants involved, the simultaneous pursuit of these adversary proceedings would be administratively taxing on the parties and on the Court. By staying the Subject Adversary Proceedings until the conclusion of the trial in the Criminal Case, the Court, the Trustee, and all other parties will have the time necessary to determine an orderly and efficient schedule for the litigation once all defendants have been served.\n\n24. The stay is also appropriate to ensure that the Trustee's litigation does not interfere with the Criminal Case and to moot the Debtor's request for a global stay of the chapter 11 cases. To be clear, the Trustee believes the Debtor's global stay request has no merit and should be denied; however, because a global stay would be extremely prejudicial to the chapter 11 estate, the Trustee believes it is important to guard against the possibility of such a stay, however remote it may be. To that end, the stay proposed by the Trustee will moot the Debtor's arguments that the Trustee's pursuit of the Subject Adversary Proceedings would interfere with his criminal rights due to the overlap between the subject matter of the Trustee's claims and allegations made in the Superseding Indictment. Meanwhile, the estate's rights are protected during the stay period by the provision in the Proposed Order permitting the Trustee to seek injunctive relief to prevent dissipation of estate assets or otherwise guard against actions that could irreparably harm the estate.\n\n25. Just as the estate's interests are protected by the requested stay, the Civil RICO/Alter Ego Defendants' rights and interests are enhanced by the stay. The Proposed Order provides such defendants with additional time to consider the Subject Adversary Proceedings' allegations and claims and to evaluate defenses. Additionally, as a result of any stay, the Civil RICO/Alter Ego Defendants will avoid the burdens and costs of litigating the Subject Adversary Proceedings during the same period that the Criminal Case is going to trial. To the extent a Civil RICO/Alter Ego Defendant might have concerns that its response to the Subject Adversary Proceedings could put it in legal jeopardy with respect to evidence or testimony in the Criminal Case, such fears would be assuaged by entering the limited stay requested herein.\n\n26. Finally, the additional request for a stay of deposition discovery is also justified under the circumstances of this case to avoid any possibility of interference with the Criminal Case. The Trustee does not want to inadvertently depose a party who is set to be a witness in the Criminal Case in a manner that could interfere with the Government's prosecution or give the Debtor further grounds to support his request for a global stay. Importantly, the Trustee would reserve the right during the stay period to move the Court for permission to take a deposition, upon notice to the parties to the Criminal Case, if necessary to protect estate assets or ensure the orderly administration of the chapter 11 estate.6\n\n[*Remainder of Page Intentionally Left Blank.*]\n\n6 For the avoidance of doubt, the Proposed Order would not prohibit the Trustee from continuing to file additional motions for Rule 2004 discovery seeking authority to serve subpoenas for document productions and depositions on various parties. The Proposed Order would only apply to the Trustee's ability to take depositions pursuant to such subpoenas during the stay period.\n\nWHEREFORE, for the foregoing reasons, the Trustee respectfully requests that the Court enter the Proposed Order granting the relief requested herein.\n\nDated: March 4, 2024\n\nBy: */s/ Nicholas A. Bassett* Douglass Barron (admitted *pro hac vice*) PAUL HASTINGS LLP 200 Park Avenue New York, New York 10166 (212) 318-6079 douglassbarron@paulhastings.com\n\n*and*\n\nNicholas A. Bassett (admitted *pro hac vice*) PAUL HASTINGS LLP 2050 M Street NW Washington, D.C., 20036 (202) 551-1902 nicholasbassett@paulhastings.com\n\n*and*\n\nDouglas 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 1**\n\n**Proposed Order**\n\n# **UNITED STATES BANKRUPTCY COURT DISTRICT OF CONNECTICUT BRIDGEPORT DIVISION**\n\n| -------------------------------------------------------------------- | x |\n|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|--------------------------------------------------------------------|\n| In re: | :
:
Chapter 11 |\n| HO WAN KWOK, et al.,
1 | :
:
Case No. 22-50073 (JAM) |\n| Debtor. | :
:
(Jointly Administered) |\n| --------------------------------------------------------------------
LUC A. DESPINS, Chapter 11 Trustee, | x
:
:
Adv. Proceeding 24-05273 |\n| Plaintiff, | :
: |\n| v. | :
: |\n| HING CHI NGOK, MEI GUO, QIANG GUO,
WILLIAM JE, YVETTE WANG, XUEBING WANG,
MAX KRASNER, CHUNGUANG HAN,
YONGBING ZHANG, AARON MITCHELL, GTV
MEDIA GROUP, INC., SARACA MEDIA GROUP,
INC., HUDSON DIAMOND NY LLC, G-CLUB US
OPERATIONS LLC, BRAVO LUCK LIMITED,
GREENWICH LAND LLC, CRANE ADVISORY
GROUP L.L.C., G-CLUB OPERATIONS LLC, GS
SECURITY SOLUTIONS INC., GYPSY MEI FOOD
SERVICES LLC,
HCHK TECHNOLOGIES INC.,
LEXINGTON PROPERTY AND STAFFING,
HAMILTON OPPORTUNITY FUND SPC, TAURUS | :
:
:
:
:
:
:
:
:
:
:
:
:
: |\n| FUND LLC, TAURUS MANAGEMENT LLC,
LEADING SHINE NY LTD., ACA CAPITAL
GROUP LIMITED, RULE OF LAW FOUNDATION
III, INC., RULE OF LAW SOCIETY IV, INC., | :
:
:
: |\n| HAMILTON PE FUND SP, HAMILTON DIGITAL | : |\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| ASSETS FUND SP, HIMALAYA CURRENCY | : |\n|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|---------------------------------------------------|\n| CLEARING PTY. LTD, HIMALAYA | : |\n| INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL GROUP LIMITED, | : |\n| HOLY CITY HONG KONG VENTURES, LTD., | : |\n| VICTOR CERDA, ANA C. IZQUIERDO-HENN, | : |\n| HAITHAM KHALED, JESSICA | : |\n| MASTROGIOVANNI, ALEX | : |\n| HADJICHARALAMBOUS, BEILE LI, ANTHONY | : |\n| DIBATTISTA, GLADYS CHOW, SCOTT | : |\n| BARNETT, HAORAN HE, HSIN SHIH YU, | : |\n| LIMARIE REYES MOLINARIS, NICHOLAS | : |\n| SAVIO, QIDONG XIA, YAN CHUN LIU, GETTR | : |\n| USA, INC., G CLUB INTERNATIONAL LIMITED, | : |\n| GNEWS MEDIA GROUP INC. HIMALAYA | : |\n| INTERNATIONAL CLEARING LTD., HUDSON | : |\n| DIAMOND HOLDINGS LLC, LAWALL & | : |\n| MITCHELL, LLC, O.S.C. ORBIT SERVICE | : |\n| COMPANY LLC, and SAVIO LAW LLC | : |\n| Defendants.
-------------------------------------------------------------------- | :
:
x |\n| LUC A. DESPINS, Chapter 11 Trustee,
Plaintiff, | :
:
:
Adv. Proceeding 24-05249
:
: |\n| v. | : |\n| ACA CAPITAL GROUP LTD., ALFA GLOBAL | : |\n| VENTURES LIMITED, ALFONSO GLOBAL | : |\n| VENTURES LIMITED, ANTON DEVELOPMENT | : |\n| LIMITED, BRAVO LUCK LIMITED, CELESTIAL | : |\n| TIDE LIMITED, CHINA GOLDEN SPRING | : |\n| GROUP (HONG KONG) LTD., EASTERN PROFIT | : |\n| CORPORATION LIMITED, FREEDOM MEDIA | : |\n| VENTURES LIMITED, G CLUB INTERNATIONAL | : |\n| LIMITED, G CLUB OPERATIONS LLC, | : |\n| G FASHION (CA), G FASHION HOLD CO A | : |\n| LIMITED, G FASHION HOLD CO B LIMITED, G | : |\n| FASHION INTERNATIONAL LIMITED, | : |\n\n| LIMITED, HAMILTON OPPORTUNITY FUND | : |\n|-------------------------------------------|---|\n| SPC, HAORAN HE, HIMALAYA CURRENCY | : |\n| CLEARING PTY LTD., HIMALAYA | : |\n| INTERNATIONAL CLEARING LIMITED, | : |\n| HIMALAYA INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL | : |\n| GROUP LIMITED, HIMALAYA INTERNATIONAL | : |\n| PAYMENTS LIMITED, HIMALAYA | : |\n| INTERNATIONAL RESERVES LIMITED, JOVIAL | : |\n| CENTURY INTERNATIONAL LIMITED, | |\n| K LEGACY LTD., KARIN MAISTRELLO, | : |\n| LEADING SHINE LIMITED, MAJOR LEAD | : |\n| INTERNATIONAL LIMITED, MEI GUO, NEXT | : |\n| TYCOON INVESTMENTS LIMITED, QIANG | : |\n| GUO, RULE OF
LAW FOUNDATION III, INC., | : |\n| RULE OF LAW SOCIETY IV, INC., SARACA | : |\n| MEDIA GROUP, INC., SEVEN MISSION GROUP | : |\n| LLC, WILLIAM JE, WISE CREATION | : |\n| INTERNATIONAL LIMITED, | : |\n| | : |\n| | |\n\nDefendants.\n\n------------------------------------------------------------------- x\n\n## **[PROPOSED] ORDER STAYING ADVERSARY PROCEEDINGS AND GRANTING OTHER RELIEF PENDING DISPOSITION OF CRIMINAL PROCEEDING**\n\n:\n\nUpon the motion (the \"Motion\")2 of Luc A. Despins, in his capacity as the chapter 11 trustee (the \"Trustee\") appointed in the chapter 11 case of Ho Wan Kwok (the \"Debtor\"), for the entry of an order (this \"Order\"), pursuant to section 105(a) of Title 11 of the United States Code (the \"Bankruptcy Code\"), Rule 7016 the Federal Rules of Bankruptcy Procedure (the \"Bankruptcy Rules\"), and Rule 7016-1 of the District of Connecticut Local Rules of Bankruptcy Procedure (the \"Local Bankruptcy Rules\"), to stay Adversary Proceeding Nos. 24-5249 (the \"Omnibus Alter Ego Adversary Proceeding\") and 24-5273 (the \"Civil RICO Adversary Proceeding\", and, together with Omnibus Alter Ego Adversary Proceeding, the \"Subject Adversary Proceedings\") and address other matters pending the conclusion of Debtor's criminal trial; and this Court having jurisdiction\n\n2 Capitalized terms used but not otherwise defined in this Order have the meanings ascribed to them in the Motion.\n\nto 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; 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 in this Court pursuant to 28 U.S.C. §§ 1408 and 1409; and the Court having found that the relief requested in the Motion is in the best interest of the Debtor's chapter 11 estate, its creditors, and all parties in interest; and due and sufficient notice of the Motion 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 Motion is granted as set forth herein.\n\n2. Subject to paragraph 5 below, the Subject Adversary Proceedings are hereby stayed pending the conclusion of the criminal trial (the \"Criminal Trial\") in the case captioned *United States of America v. Ho Wan Kwok, et al.*, Case No. 23-CR-118 (AT) (the \"Criminal Case\"), pending in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York (the \"Criminal Court\"), which trial is presently set to begin on May 20, 2024.\n\n3. Following the conclusion of the Criminal Trial, the Trustee shall file a notice of resumption of the Subject Adversary Proceedings in both this Court and in the Criminal Court, upon which filings the stay shall terminate (the period from the entry of this Order until such termination, the \"Stay Period\").\n\n4. Subject to paragraph 5 below, all activity in the Subject Adversary Proceedings shall be stayed and suspended for the duration of the Stay Period, including without limitation the deadline for parties to answer or otherwise respond to the applicable complaints. No answers or other responses, including without limitation under Federal Rule of Bankruptcy Procedure 7012, may be filed or served during the Stay Period. Upon the conclusion of the Stay Period, subject to further order of the Court, all defendants who have been served with the applicable summons and complaint shall have 30 days from the date of termination of the Stay Period to answer or otherwise respond to such complaint.\n\n5. Notwithstanding anything else herein to the contrary: (a) the Trustee's claims against defendant K Legacy, Ltd. and Qiang Guo in his capacity as nominal owner of K Legacy, Ltd. in the Omnibus Alter Ego Adversary Proceeding shall not be stayed or otherwise affected by this Order; and (b) the Trustee shall be permitted during the Stay Period to (i) undertake efforts to effect service of the summonses and complaints on the defendants to the Subject Adversary Proceedings, and (ii) upon motion to this Court, with notice of such motion filed in the Criminal Court, seek injunctive or other relief in the Subject Adversary Proceedings to prevent irreparable harm to the estate, such as relief necessary to prevent the dissipation of potential estate assets.\n\n6. Absent further order of the Court, no depositions shall occur in the main bankruptcy case, including without limitation pursuant to Federal Rule of Bankruptcy Procedure 2004 subpoenas, or in any adversary proceeding, including without limitation the Subject Adversary Proceedings, during the Stay Period. To the extent the Trustee deems it necessary to pursue a deposition during the Stay Period to protect estate assets or ensure the orderly administration of the chapter 11 estate, the Trustee may file a motion with this Court, upon notice to the parties to the Criminal Case, requesting permission to take such deposition.\n\n7. The Court retains jurisdiction with respect to all matters arising from or related to the implementation of this Order.\n\n8. This Order shall be effective immediately upon entry.","body_zh":"美国康涅狄格州联邦破产法院布里奇波特分部\n\n--------------------------------------------------------------------　x\n\n关于：　:\n:\n第11章\nHO WAN KWOK（郭文贵）等，\n1　:\n:\n案号 22-50073 (JAM)\n债务人。　:\n:\n（合并管理）\n\nLUC A. DESPINS（卢克·A·德斯平斯），第11章受托人，　x\n:\n:\n对抗程序 24-05273\n原告，　:\n\n诉　:\n\nHING CHI NGOK（吴庆诺）、MEI GUO（郭美）、QIANG GUO（郭强）、\nWILLIAM JE（叶威廉）、YVETTE WANG（王伊薇）、XUEBING WANG（王雪冰）、\nMAX KRASNER（马克斯·克拉斯纳）、CHUNGUANG HAN（韩春光）、\nYONGBING ZHANG（张永兵）、AARON MITCHELL（亚伦·米切尔）、GTV\nMEDIA GROUP, INC.（GTV媒体集团公司）、SARACA MEDIA GROUP,\nINC.（萨拉卡媒体集团公司）、HUDSON DIAMOND NY LLC（哈德逊钻石纽约有限责任公司）、G-CLUB US\nOPERATIONS LLC（G-CLUB美国运营有限责任公司）、BRAVO LUCK LIMITED（好运有限公司）、\nGREENWICH LAND LLC（格林尼治地产有限责任公司）、CRANE ADVISORY\nGROUP L.L.C.（克兰顾问集团有限责任公司）、G-CLUB OPERATIONS LLC（G-CLUB运营有限责任公司）、GS\nSECURITY SOLUTIONS INC.（GS安保解决方案公司）、GYPSY MEI FOOD\nSERVICES LLC（吉普赛美餐饮服务有限责任公司）、HCHK TECHNOLOGIES INC.（HCHK科技公司）、\nLEXINGTON PROPERTY AND STAFFING（列克星敦房地产与人事服务），　:\n\nHAMILTON OPPORTUNITY FUND SPC（汉密尔顿机会基金SPC）、TAURUS\nFUND LLC（金牛基金有限责任公司）、TAURUS MANAGEMENT LLC（金牛管理有限责任公司）、\nLEADING SHINE NY LTD.（领耀纽约有限公司）、ACA CAPITAL\nGROUP LIMITED（ACA资本集团有限公司）、RULE OF LAW FOUNDATION\nIII, INC.（法治基金会III公司）、RULE OF LAW SOCIETY IV, INC.（法治协会IV公司）、\nHAMILTON PE FUND SP（汉密尔顿私募股权基金SP）、HAMILTON DIGITAL　:\n\n1 本第11章案件的债务人为 HO WAN KWOK（郭文贵）（又名 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（杰纳弗控股有限责任公司）（税务识别号码后四位：8202）以及 Genever Holdings Corporation（杰纳弗控股公司）。受托人、Genever Holdings LLC 和 Genever Holdings Corporation 的邮寄地址为：Paul Hastings LLP（保罗·黑斯廷斯律师事务所），200 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10166，转交 Luc A. Despins，作为 Ho Wan Kwok 遗产的受托人（仅限通知和通信之目的）。\n\nASSETS FUND SP（汉密尔顿数字资产基金SP）、HIMALAYA CURRENCY\nCLEARING PTY. LTD（喜马拉雅货币清算有限公司）、HIMALAYA\nINTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL GROUP LIMITED（喜马拉雅国际金融集团有限公司）、\nHOLY CITY HONG KONG VENTURES, LTD.（圣城香港创投有限公司）、\nVICTOR CERDA（维克托·塞尔达）、ANA C. IZQUIERDO-HENN（安娜·C·伊斯基耶多-亨）、\nHAITHAM KHALED（海瑟姆·哈立德）、JESSICA\nMASTROGIOVANNI（杰西卡·马斯特罗焦瓦尼）、ALEX　:\n\nHADJICHARALAMBOUS（亚历克斯·哈吉查拉兰布斯）、BEILE LI（李贝乐）、ANTHONY\nDIBATTISTA（安东尼·迪巴蒂斯塔）、GLADYS CHOW（周格拉迪斯）、SCOTT\nBARNETT（斯科特·巴尼特）、HAORAN HE（何浩然）、HSIN SHIH YU（余欣诗）、\nLIMARIE REYES MOLINARIS（利马里·雷耶斯·莫利纳里斯）、NICHOLAS\nSAVIO（尼古拉斯·萨维奥）、QIDONG XIA（夏启东）、YAN CHUN LIU（刘艳春）、GETTR\nUSA, INC.（GETTR美国公司）、G CLUB INTERNATIONAL LIMITED（G CLUB国际有限公司），　:\n\nGNEWS MEDIA GROUP INC.（GNEWS媒体集团公司）、HIMALAYA\nINTERNATIONAL CLEARING LTD.（喜马拉雅国际清算有限公司）、HUDSON\nDIAMOND HOLDINGS LLC（哈德逊钻石控股有限责任公司）、LAWALL &\nMITCHELL, LLC（劳沃尔与米切尔有限责任公司）、O.S.C. ORBIT SERVICE\nCOMPANY LLC（O.S.C.轨道服务公司有限责任公司）以及 SAVIO LAW LLC（萨维奥律师事务所有限责任公司）　:\n\n被告。\n\nx\nLUC A. DESPINS（卢克·A·德斯平斯），第11章受托人，　:\n:\n:\n对抗程序 24-05249\n原告，　:\n\n诉　:\n\nACA CAPITAL GROUP LTD.（ACA资本集团有限公司）、ALFA GLOBAL\nVENTURES LIMITED（阿尔法全球创投有限公司）、ALFONSO GLOBAL\nVENTURES LIMITED（阿方索全球创投有限公司）、ANTON DEVELOPMENT\nLIMITED（安东发展有限公司）、BRAVO LUCK LIMITED（好运有限公司）、CELESTIAL\nTIDE LIMITED（天潮有限公司）、CHINA GOLDEN SPRING\nGROUP (HONG KONG) LTD.（中国金泉集团（香港）有限公司）、EASTERN PROFIT\nCORPORATION LIMITED（东方利润有限公司）、FREEDOM MEDIA\nVENTURES LIMITED（自由媒体创投有限公司）、G CLUB INTERNATIONAL\nLIMITED（G CLUB国际有限公司）、G CLUB OPERATIONS LLC（G CLUB运营有限责任公司）、\nG FASHION (CA)（G时尚（加州））、G FASHION HOLD CO A\nLIMITED（G时尚控股公司A有限公司）、G FASHION HOLD CO B LIMITED（G时尚控股公司B有限公司）、G　:\n\nSPC（G SPC）、HAORAN HE（何浩然）、HIMALAYA CURRENCY　:\n\nCLEARING PTY LTD.（喜马拉雅货币清算有限公司）、HIMALAYA　:\nINTERNATIONAL CLEARING LIMITED（喜马拉雅国际清算有限公司），　:\nHIMALAYA INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL　:\nGROUP LIMITED（喜马拉雅国际金融集团有限公司）、HIMALAYA INTERNATIONAL　:\nPAYMENTS LIMITED（喜马拉雅国际支付有限公司）、HIMALAYA　:\nINTERNATIONAL RESERVES LIMITED（喜马拉雅国际储备有限公司）、JOVIAL　:\nCENTURY INTERNATIONAL LIMITED（怡悦世纪国际有限公司），\nK LEGACY LTD.（K传承有限公司）、KARIN MAISTRELLO（卡琳·迈斯特雷洛），　:\nLEADING SHINE LIMITED（领耀有限公司）、MAJOR LEAD　:\nINTERNATIONAL LIMITED（主导国际有限公司）、MEI GUO（郭美）、NEXT　:\nTYCOON INVESTMENTS LIMITED（下一个大亨投资有限公司）、QIANG　:\nGUO（郭强）、RULE OF LAW FOUNDATION III, INC.（法治基金会III公司），　:\nRULE OF LAW SOCIETY IV, INC.（法治协会IV公司）、SARACA　:\nMEDIA GROUP, INC.（萨拉卡媒体集团公司）、SEVEN MISSION GROUP　:\nLLC（七项使命集团有限责任公司）、WILLIAM JE（叶威廉）、WISE CREATION　:\nINTERNATIONAL LIMITED（智创国际有限公司），　:\n\n被告。　:\n\n受托人关于在刑事程序处置期间中止对抗程序并获得其他救济的动议\n\nx\n\nLuc A. Despins（卢克·A·德斯平斯）以在 Ho Wan Kwok（郭文贵）（“债务人”）第11章案件中获任命的第11章受托人（“受托人”）身份，经由其下列签名的律师，特此提交本动议（“本动议”），请求作出随附作为附件1提交的拟议命令（“拟议命令”），中止题为 Despins v. Ngok, et al., Adv. Proc. No. 24-5273（“民事RICO诉讼”）及 Despins v. ACA Capital Group Ltd. et al., Adv. Proc. No. 24-5249（“综合另我诉讼”，并与民事RICO诉讼合称“相关对抗程序”）的对抗程序，并处理其他事项，直至在 United States District Court for the Southern District of New York（美国纽约南区联邦地区法院）（“刑事法院”）待决、题为 United States of America v. Ho Wan Kwok, et al., Case No. 23- CR-118 (AT)（“刑事案件”）的刑事案件得到处置。\n\n初步陈述\n\n1. 2024年2月15日，受托人对合计约109名被告提起民事RICO诉讼和综合另我诉讼。民事RICO诉讼主张，债务人及其若干同伙共谋组建并运营、且实际运营了一项欺诈性企业，以使债务人的资产不被其债权人获得，并在此过程中实施了若干构成要件犯罪行为。受托人请求民事RICO被告2赔偿其行为对债权人造成的损害。与此同时，综合另我诉讼寻求一项确认判决，确认各类空壳公司及其他实体为债务人的另我（及/或由其实益拥有），从而其资产属于遗产财产。2024年2月29日，相关对抗程序中发出了传票。受托人正在向民事RICO/另我被告送达。\n\n2. 受托人在其提起民事RICO诉讼和综合另我诉讼时，除其他事项外，是为了确保其满足根据《美国法典》第11编（“破产法”）提起某些类型请求权的法定截止日期，即2024年2月15日（“2月15日截止日期”）。除民事RICO诉讼和综合另我诉讼外，受托人还于2月15日截止日期当日或前后提起了约270项其他诉讼。这些其他诉讼大多涉及追讨实际或推定欺诈性转让及未经授权的申请后转让的请求权。\n\n3. 受托人充分意识到，同时推进数量如此庞大的诉讼可能给各方和法院带来的行政负担。鉴于民事RICO诉讼和综合另我诉讼所提出问题的复杂性以及所涉被告的数量，它们尤其可能对各方和法院的资源造成重大负担。\n\n2 本初步陈述中未定义的首字母大写术语，具有本动议其余部分赋予该等术语的含义。\n\n被告。基于这些理由，受托人认为，从案件管理的角度来看，有必要暂时中止部分近期提起的诉讼。\n\n4. 鉴于债务人刑事案件即将进行的审判亦定于2024年5月20日前后开始，受托人认为中止是适当的。如法院所知，债务人已向刑事法院重新提出动议，请求作出裁定，以包括其他理由在内的指控为基础中止整个第11章案件，即受托人对民事RICO诉讼和综合另我诉讼所涉请求权的追诉将干扰其刑事辩护权。3 虽然受托人已对债务人的动议提出异议并认为其毫无根据，但受托人已告知刑事法院，其将寻求中止民事RICO诉讼和综合另我诉讼，以使债务人的论点失去意义，并消除债务人第11章案件被全面中止的任何可能性。\n\n5. 基于这些理由及本文所述的其他理由，受托人认为，法院按拟议命令所规定中止相关对抗程序直至刑事案件审判结束，符合遗产的最佳利益。在该中止期间，受托人可继续向民事RICO/另我被告送达（以确保其尽快收到诉讼通知），并且还将保留其权利，即在通知刑事案件各方后，于必要时寻求禁令或其他救济，以防止资产耗散或以其他方式保护遗产。相关对抗程序将在其他方面按拟议命令的规定中止。\n\n6. 除中止相关对抗程序外，受托人还请求作出命令，暂时中止主破产案件中的证言录取，包括但不限于\n\n3 见刑事案件，[ECF No. 218]。对刑事案件案卷条目的引用将表述为“ECF No. [ ]”，而对相关对抗程序或主破产案件案卷条目的引用将表述为“Docket No.”或“Dkt. No.”。\n\n依据《联邦破产程序规则》第2004条进行的证言录取。该中止是必要的，因为受托人希望避免任何可能性，即对刑事案件中的证人当事人进行证言录取、以其他方式干扰政府对刑事案件的追诉，或给予债务人更多理由支持其请求全面中止其第11章案件。受托人将在中止期间保留权利，即如为保护遗产资产或确保第11章遗产有序管理所必需，在通知刑事案件各方后，向法院申请许可进行证言录取。\n\n7. 基于这些理由，并且由于所请求的中止完全属于法院管理其案卷的合理裁量权范围之内，受托人谨请求准许本动议，并由法院作出拟议命令，实施所请求的中止。\n\n背景\n\n8. 2022年2月15日，债务人启动上述第11章案件（“第11章案件”）。2022年6月15日，破产法院作出决定备忘录及命令，指示 United States Trustee（美国受托人）任命一名第11章受托人。主案件，4 [Docket No. 465]。2022年7月8日，破产法院作出命令任命受托人。同上，[Docket No. 523]。\n\n9. 2024年1月18日，受托人提交《请求作出命令延长受托人根据破产法第108、546(a)和549条提起撤销诉讼期限的动议》[Docket No. 2509]，请求将提起撤销诉讼的截止日期从2024年2月15日延长至2024年8月15日，以使其能够完成调查。\n\n10. 2024年2月15日，法院作出《部分准许延长期限动议的决定备忘录及命令》[Docket No. 2921]（“延期决定”），\n\n4 对“主案件”的引用系指案卷编号22-50073。\n\n将提起撤销诉讼的截止日期延长至2024年8月15日，该日期可经通知及听证后进一步延长。\n\n11. 在2月15日截止日期及法院作出延期决定当日或前后，受托人依照其法定义务，提起了约270项撤销诉讼、综合另我诉讼和民事RICO诉讼。\n\n12. 综合另我诉讼针对52名被告（“另我被告”）提起，并请求作出裁决，确认除其他事项外，另我被告是债务人的另我，及/或债务人实益拥有另我被告，因此另我被告的财产属于遗产财产。\n\n13. 民事RICO诉讼针对57名被告5（“民事RICO被告”，与另我被告合称“民事RICO/另我被告”）提起。民事RICO诉讼包含两项诉因：违反《反有组织犯罪及腐败组织法》（“RICO”）以及共谋违反RICO。实体罪名项和共谋罪名项均针对所有民事RICO被告提出。\n\n14. 在2023年3月前后，大陪审团对债务人、William Je（杰威廉）及Yvette Wang（王雁）〔合称“刑事被告人”〕作出起诉书，并最终在刑事法院解封。见刑事案件，[ECF Nos. 1 and 2]。2024年1月4日，美国政府提交了一份取代起诉书，该起诉书为截至本文件提交之日具有效力的起诉书（“取代起诉书”）。刑事案件，[ECF No. 215]。\n\n15. 取代起诉书在民事RICO诉讼和综合替身诉讼中有所论述。具体而言，在民事RICO诉讼中，受托人援引并依赖刑事案件中的取代起诉书，以说明其中详述的欺诈计划所涉及的众多非法行为。\n\n5 某些实体和/或个人系两项涉案对抗程序中的被告。\n\n16. 刑事案件中的取代起诉书论述了债务人、William Je（杰威廉）、Yvette Wang（王雁）及其关联实体所被指控实施的各种非法行为，其中许多实体为民事RICO被告和/或替身被告。\n\n17. 在刑事案件中，2023年8月30日，债务人提交了《请求作出中止破产案件的命令及令状，或备选请求其他救济的动议》[ECF No. 129]（“第一次中止动议”），请求刑事法院作出命令，中止第11章案件，以及与第11章案件共同管理并涉及债务人的Geneva Holdings Corporation（Genever BVI）和Genever Holdings LLC（Genever US；与Genever BVI合称“Genever债务人”）的破产案件（“Genever案件”；与第11章案件合称“第11章案件”）。2023年9月21日，受托人和Genever债务人就第一次中止动议提交了答复。刑事案件，[ECF No.145]。2023年12月21日，刑事法院驳回了债务人的第一次中止动议。同上，[ECF No. 204]。\n\n18. 随后，2024年1月4日，债务人在刑事案件中提交了《续行中止破产案件动议及复议动议》（“续行中止动议”），请求中止全部三宗第11章案件。同上，[ECF No. 218]。2024年1月19日，受托人和Genever债务人就续行中止动议提交了答复。同上，[ECF No. 234]。为支持第一次中止动议和续行中止动议，债务人主张，第11章案件中存在涉及其宪法权利并可能损害其在刑事案件中辩护的问题。续行中止动议仍在刑事案件的刑事法院待决。\n\n19. 刑事案件的审判定于2024年5月20日前后开始。\n\n所请求的救济\n\n20. 受托人谨请求本院：(a) 按照拟议命令所载内容，中止涉案对抗程序，直至刑事案件审判结束，但不影响受托人以下能力：(i) 继续向民事RICO/替身被告送达；以及(ii) 在向本院提出申请并通知刑事案件当事人后，为保护第11章财产，在涉案对抗程序中视需要寻求禁令或其他救济；以及(b) 中止在第11章案件或相关对抗程序中进行证言录取，直至刑事案件审判结束，但不影响受托人在通知刑事案件当事人后，申请获准进行证言录取的能力。\n\n所请求救济的依据\n\n21. 无争议的是，所有法院均具有中止其审理中的民事案件的固有权力。Landis v. N. Am. Co., 299 U.S. 248, 254–55 (1936)。在并行刑事诉讼待决期间中止民事诉讼，属于法院自由裁量权范围，“当司法利益似乎要求采取此种行动时，有时应[原告]的请求，……有时应辩方的请求[。]” United States v. Kordel, 397 U.S. 1, 12 n.27 (1970)。\n\n22. “法院具有在兼顾法院、律师和诉讼参与人‘时间和精力的节约’的同时管理其案卷的固有权力。” In re Kowalski, 633 B.R. 822, 827 (Bankr. N.D. Ill. 2021)（引述Landis v. N. Am. Co., 299 U.S. at 254）。数家破产法院已中止对抗程序，直至并行刑事案件处理完毕。见，例如，In re Julmice, 458 B.R. 657, 661-62 (Bankr. E.D.N.Y. 2011)（鉴于正在进行的刑事程序而中止对抗程序）；In re Kowalski, 633 B.R. at 829（中止对抗程序，“直至刑事案件结束；在该刑事案件中，Jan Kowalski（扬·科瓦尔斯基）和债务人被控共谋侵吞银行资金、破产欺诈和隐匿资产，以及其他罪名项。”）。\n\n23. 受托人在此请求的中止，既适宜于协助管理本院面前大量的诉讼，也适宜于防止对债务人待决刑事案件造成任何可能的干扰，该案件的审判即将开始。如上所述，受托人最近已在本院提起270余项对抗程序，其中包括涉案对抗程序。鉴于所涉问题及被告人数，同时推进这些对抗程序将对当事人和本院造成行政负担。通过中止涉案对抗程序直至刑事案件审判结束，本院、受托人及所有其他当事人将在所有被告均已送达后，有必要的时间确定有序且高效的诉讼日程。\n\n24. 该中止亦适宜于确保受托人的诉讼不会干扰刑事案件，并使债务人请求对第11章案件全面中止的请求失去争议对象。为明确起见，受托人认为债务人关于全面中止的请求毫无根据，应予驳回；然而，由于全面中止将对第11章财产造成极大损害，受托人认为防范此类中止的可能性十分重要，无论该可能性多么微小。为此，受托人提议的中止将使债务人如下主张失去争议对象：由于受托人请求的标的与取代起诉书中指控事项重叠，受托人推进涉案对抗程序将干扰其刑事权利。同时，在中止期间，拟议命令中允许受托人为防止财产资产耗散，或以其他方式防范可能对财产造成不可弥补损害的行为而寻求禁令救济的规定，保护了财产的权利。\n\n25. 正如所请求的中止保护了财产的利益一样，该中止亦增进了民事RICO/替身被告的权利和利益。拟议命令给予该等被告额外时间，以审议涉案对抗程序中的指控和请求，并评估抗辩。此外，因任何中止，民事RICO/替身被告将避免在刑事案件进入审判的同一期间，对涉案对抗程序进行诉讼所带来的负担和费用。在任何民事RICO/替身被告可能担忧其就涉案对抗程序作出的答复，会因刑事案件中的证据或证言而使其面临法律风险的范围内，作出本案请求的有限中止将消除此种担忧。\n\n26. 最后，在本案情形下，追加请求中止证言录取证据开示亦属正当，以避免对刑事案件造成任何可能的干扰。受托人不希望以可能干扰政府起诉，或给予债务人进一步理由支持其全面中止请求的方式，无意中对预定在刑事案件中作为证人的当事人进行证言录取。重要的是，如为保护财产资产或确保第11章财产的有序管理所必需，受托人将保留在中止期间经通知刑事案件当事人后，向本院申请获准进行证言录取的权利。6\n\n[本页其余部分特意留白。]\n\n6 为免疑义，拟议命令不会禁止受托人继续提交额外的Rule 2004证据开示动议，请求授权向各方送达传票，以要求提交文件和进行证言录取。拟议命令仅适用于中止期间受托人依据该等传票进行证言录取的能力。\n\n因此，基于前述理由，受托人谨请求本院作出拟议命令，准予本案所请求的救济。\n\n日期：March 4, 2024\n\n签署人：/s/ Nicholas A. Bassett\nDouglass Barron（获准临时出庭）\nPAUL HASTINGS LLP\n200 Park Avenue\nNew York, New York 10166\n(212) 318-6079\ndouglassbarron@paulhastings.com\n\n以及\n\nNicholas A. Bassett（获准临时出庭）\nPAUL HASTINGS LLP\n2050 M Street NW\nWashington, D.C., 20036\n(202) 551-1902\nnicholasbassett@paulhastings.com\n\n以及\n\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章受托人的代理律师\n\n附件1\n\n拟议命令\n\n美国破产法院\n康涅狄格地区\n布里奇波特分部\n\n————————————————————————————————————　x\n\n关于：　：\n：\n第11章\nHO WAN KWOK（郭文贵）等，\n1　：\n：\n案号：22-50073 (JAM)\n债务人。　：\n：\n（共同管理）\n\nLUC A. DESPINS（吕克·A·德斯平斯），第11章受托人，　x\n：\n：\n对抗程序 24-05273\n原告，　：\n\n诉　：\n\nHING CHI NGOK、MEI GUO、QIANG GUO、\nWILLIAM JE、YVETTE WANG、XUEBING WANG、\nMAX KRASNER、CHUNGUANG HAN、\nYONGBING ZHANG、AARON MITCHELL、GTV\nMEDIA GROUP, INC.、SARACA MEDIA GROUP,\nINC.、HUDSON DIAMOND NY LLC、G-CLUB US\nOPERATIONS LLC、BRAVO LUCK LIMITED、\nGREENWICH LAND LLC、CRANE ADVISORY\nGROUP L.L.C.、G-CLUB OPERATIONS LLC、GS\nSECURITY SOLUTIONS INC.、GYPSY MEI FOOD\nSERVICES LLC、\nHCHK TECHNOLOGIES INC.、\nLEXINGTON PROPERTY AND STAFFING、\nHAMILTON OPPORTUNITY FUND SPC、TAURUS　：\n\nFUND LLC、TAURUS MANAGEMENT LLC、\nLEADING SHINE NY LTD.、ACA CAPITAL\nGROUP LIMITED、RULE OF LAW FOUNDATION\nIII, INC.、RULE OF LAW SOCIETY IV, INC.，　：\n\nHAMILTON PE FUND SP、HAMILTON DIGITAL　：\n\n1 本第11章案件中的债务人为Ho Wan Kwok（又名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和Genever Holdings Corporation的邮寄地址为：Paul Hastings LLP, 200 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10166，转交Luc A. Despins，作为Ho Wan Kwok财产的受托人（仅为通知和通信之目的）。\n\nASSETS FUND SP、HIMALAYA CURRENCY　：\n\nCLEARING PTY. LTD、HIMALAYA　：\nINTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL GROUP LIMITED、　：\nHOLY CITY HONG KONG VENTURES, LTD.、　：\nVICTOR CERDA、ANA C. IZQUIERDO-HENN、　：\nHAITHAM KHALED、JESSICA　：\nMASTROGIOVANNI、ALEX　：\nHADJICHARALAMBOUS、BEILE LI、ANTHONY　：\nDIBATTISTA、GLADYS CHOW、SCOTT　：\nBARNETT、HAORAN HE、HSIN SHIH YU、　：\nLIMARIE REYES MOLINARIS、NICHOLAS　：\nSAVIO、QIDONG XIA、YAN CHUN LIU、GETTR　：\nUSA, INC.、G CLUB INTERNATIONAL LIMITED、　：\nGNEWS MEDIA GROUP INC. HIMALAYA　：\nINTERNATIONAL CLEARING LTD.、HUDSON　：\nDIAMOND HOLDINGS LLC、LAWALL &　：\nMITCHELL, LLC、O.S.C. ORBIT SERVICE　：\nCOMPANY LLC及SAVIO LAW LLC　：\n被告。\n\nx\nLUC A. DESPINS（卢克·A·德斯平斯），第11章受托人，\n原告，　：\n：\n：\n对抗程序案号 24-05249\n：\n：\n诉　：\nACA CAPITAL GROUP LTD.（ACA资本集团有限公司）、ALFA GLOBAL　：\nVENTURES LIMITED（阿尔法全球风险投资有限公司）、ALFONSO GLOBAL　：\nVENTURES LIMITED（阿方索全球风险投资有限公司）、ANTON DEVELOPMENT　：\nLIMITED（安东发展有限公司）、BRAVO LUCK LIMITED（布拉沃幸运有限公司）、CELESTIAL　：\nTIDE LIMITED（天潮有限公司）、CHINA GOLDEN SPRING　：\nGROUP (HONG KONG) LTD.（中国金泉集团〈香港〉有限公司）、EASTERN PROFIT　：\nCORPORATION LIMITED（东方利润有限公司）、FREEDOM MEDIA　：\nVENTURES LIMITED（自由媒体风险投资有限公司）、G CLUB INTERNATIONAL　：\nLIMITED（G CLUB国际有限公司）、G CLUB OPERATIONS LLC（G CLUB运营有限责任公司），　：\nG FASHION (CA)（G FASHION〈加利福尼亚〉）、G FASHION HOLD CO A　：\nLIMITED（G FASHION控股公司A有限公司）、G FASHION HOLD CO B LIMITED（G　：\nFASHION控股公司B有限公司）、G FASHION INTERNATIONAL LIMITED（G　：\nFASHION国际有限公司），　：\n\nLIMITED（有限公司）、HAMILTON OPPORTUNITY FUND　：\n\nSPC（汉密尔顿机会基金独立投资组合公司）、HAORAN HE（何浩然）、HIMALAYA CURRENCY　：\nCLEARING PTY LTD.（喜马拉雅货币清算有限公司）、HIMALAYA　：\nINTERNATIONAL CLEARING LIMITED（喜马拉雅国际清算有限公司），　：\nHIMALAYA INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL　：\nGROUP LIMITED（喜马拉雅国际金融集团有限公司）、HIMALAYA INTERNATIONAL　：\nPAYMENTS LIMITED（喜马拉雅国际支付有限公司）、HIMALAYA　：\nINTERNATIONAL RESERVES LIMITED（喜马拉雅国际储备有限公司）、JOVIAL　：\nCENTURY INTERNATIONAL LIMITED（乔维尔世纪国际有限公司），\nK LEGACY LTD.（K LEGACY有限公司）、KARIN MAISTRELLO（卡琳·迈斯特雷洛），　：\nLEADING SHINE LIMITED（领耀有限公司）、MAJOR LEAD　：\nINTERNATIONAL LIMITED（主要领导国际有限公司）、MEI GUO（郭美）、NEXT　：\nTYCOON INVESTMENTS LIMITED（新大亨投资有限公司）、QIANG　：\nGUO（郭强）、RULE OF\nLAW FOUNDATION III, INC.（法治基金会III公司），　：\nRULE OF LAW SOCIETY IV, INC.（法治协会IV公司）、SARACA　：\nMEDIA GROUP, INC.（萨拉卡媒体集团公司）、SEVEN MISSION GROUP　：\nLLC（七项使命集团有限责任公司）、WILLIAM JE（威廉·杰）、WISE CREATION　：\nINTERNATIONAL LIMITED（智创国际有限公司），　：\n\n被告。\n\n------------------------------------------------------------------- x\n［拟议］在刑事程序处置完毕前中止对抗程序并给予其他救济的命令\n\n：\n\n兹根据Luc A. Despins（卢克·A·德斯平斯）以Ho Wan Kwok（郭文贵）（以下简称“债务人”）第11章案件中获任命的第11章受托人（以下简称“受托人”）身份提出的动议（以下简称“动议”）2，要求依据《美国法典》第11编（以下简称“破产法”）第105(a)条、《联邦破产程序规则》（以下简称“破产规则”）第7016条及《康涅狄格州联邦地区破产程序地方法则》（以下简称“破产地方法则”）第7016-1条，作出命令（以下简称“本命令”），中止对抗程序案号24-5249（以下简称“综合替身对抗程序”）及24-5273（以下简称“民事RICO对抗程序”，并与综合替身对抗程序合称“相关对抗程序”），并在债务人刑事审判结束前处理其他事项；且本院已具有管辖权\n\n2 本命令中使用但未另行定义的大写术语，具有动议中赋予其的含义。\n\n依据28 U.S.C. §§ 157和1334及United States District Court for the District of Connecticut（康涅狄格州联邦地区法院）的移交常设命令审理该动议及其中请求的救济；且审理该动议及其中请求的救济构成28 U.S.C. § 157(b)项下的核心程序；且依据28 U.S.C. §§ 1408和1409，本院为适当审理地点；且本院已认定动议中请求的救济符合债务人第11章财产、其债权人及全体利害关系方的最佳利益；且在具体情形下，已就该动议给予适当且充分的通知；且似乎无需给予任何其他或进一步通知；且基于本院此前进行的全部程序；且对本命令所请求救济提出的任何异议均已撤回或经实体审理驳回；且经适当审议并显示存在充分理由，现命令如下：\n\n1. 动议按照本命令所述予以准许。\n\n2. 在遵守下文第5段的前提下，相关对抗程序现予中止，直至United States of America v. Ho Wan Kwok, et al.（美利坚合众国诉郭文贵等人），案号23-CR-118 (AT)（以下简称“刑事案件”）中的刑事审判（以下简称“刑事审判”）结束为止。该刑事案件目前在United States District Court for the Southern District of New York（纽约南区联邦地区法院，以下简称“刑事法院”）审理，审判目前定于May 20, 2024开始。\n\n3. 刑事审判结束后，受托人应在本院及刑事法院均提交恢复相关对抗程序的通知；在提交该等文件后，中止即告终止（自本命令录入之日起至该等终止之日止的期间，以下简称“中止期间”）。\n\n4. 在遵守下文第5段的前提下，相关对抗程序中的一切活动应在中止期间内予以中止和暂停，包括但不限于各方答辩或以其他方式回应相关起诉状的期限。在中止期间内，不得提交或送达任何答辩或其他回应文件，包括但不限于依据《联邦破产程序规则》第7012条提交或送达的文件。中止期间结束后，在遵守本院进一步命令的前提下，所有已被送达相关传票和起诉状的被告，均应自中止期间终止之日起30日内对该起诉状作出答辩或以其他方式回应。\n\n5. 尽管本命令中有任何相反规定：(a) 受托人在综合替身对抗程序中针对被告K Legacy, Ltd.（K LEGACY有限公司）及以K Legacy, Ltd.名义所有人身份被列为被告的Qiang Guo（郭强）提出的请求，不应因本命令而被中止或以其他方式受到影响；及(b) 受托人获准在中止期间内：(i) 采取措施向相关对抗程序的被告送达传票和起诉状；及(ii) 经向本院提出动议，并在刑事法院提交该动议的通知后，在相关对抗程序中寻求禁令或其他救济，以防止对财产造成不可弥补的损害，例如为防止潜在财产资产耗散所必需的救济。\n\n6. 除非本院另有命令，在中止期间内，不得在主破产案件中进行任何证言录取，包括但不限于依据《联邦破产程序规则》第2004条传票进行的证言录取，亦不得在任何对抗程序中进行任何证言录取，包括但不限于相关对抗程序。若受托人认为为保护财产资产或确保第11章财产的有序管理，有必要在中止期间内进行证言录取，受托人可在通知刑事案件各方后，向本院提交动议，请求获准进行该证言录取。\n\n7. 本院保留对因实施本命令而产生或与其相关的所有事项的管辖权。\n\n8. 本命令应于录入后立即生效。","key_entities":["Je","RICO","Himalaya","Guo","Kwok","Ho Wan Kwok","Despins","William Je","Saraca","Paul Hastings","Miles Guo","HCHK","GTV","GETTR"],"ecf_references":[{"doc_number":129,"court":"CTB"},{"doc_number":145,"court":"CTB"},{"doc_number":204,"court":"CTB"},{"doc_number":215,"court":"CTB"},{"doc_number":218,"court":"CTB"},{"doc_number":234,"court":"CTB"}],"word_count":4981,"status":"published","published_at":null,"created_at":null,"updated_at":"2026-08-23 20:09:25"}