{"id":"court_ctb_3462_0","court":"CTB","case_no":"22-50073","doc_number":3462,"sub_number":0,"doc_type":"ORDER","filed_date":null,"title":"UNITED STATES BANKRUPTCY COURT DISTRICT OF CONNECTICUT BRIDGEPORT DIVISION | IN<br>RE:","summary_zh":null,"summary_en":null,"body_en":"### **UNITED STATES BANKRUPTCY COURT DISTRICT OF CONNECTICUT BRIDGEPORT DIVISION**\n\n| IN<br>RE:                                         |  |\n|---------------------------------------------------|--|\n| HO<br>WAN<br>KWOK, et al.,                        |  |\n| 1<br>Debtors.                                     |  |\n|                                                   |  |\n|                                                   |  |\n| LUC<br>A.<br>DESPINS,<br>CHAPTER<br>11<br>TRUSTEE |  |\n| Plaintiff,                                        |  |\n| —v.—                                              |  |\n| FFP (BVI) LIMITED,                                |  |\n| Defendant.                                        |  |\n|                                                   |  |\n\nChapter 11 Case No. 22-50073 (JAM) (Jointly Administered)\n\nAdv. Proc. No. 24-05056 (JAM)\n\nAugust 27, 2024\n\n## **NOTICE OF APPEAL**\n\nPLEASE TAKE NOTICE that pursuant to Fed. R. Bankr. P. 8001 *et seq.,* FFP (BVI) Limited (\"FFP\"), the defendant in the above-captioned adversary proceeding, hereby files notice of its appeal from the Bankruptcy Court's August 14, 2024 *Order Granting Second Motion for Extension of Deadline for Trustee to File Avoidance Actions*, filed in the above-captioned bankruptcy case, Case No. 22-50073, (the \"Kwok Case\") at ECF No. 3417 (the \"Ruling\"), granting\n\n<span id=\"page-0-0\"></span><sup>1</sup> The Debtors in the main Chapter 11 case are Ho Wan Kwok (also known as Guo Wengui, Miles Guo, and Miles Kwok) (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.\n\nthe Trustee, Luc A. Despins, Chapter 11 Trustee's (the \"Trustee\") *First Supplemental Motion of Chapter 11 Trustee To Extend August 15, 2024 Deadline For Trustee To File Avoidance Actions* ( the \"Second Extension Motion\"), filed in Kwok Case at ECF No. 3329 and in the above-captioned adversary proceeding, Adv. Pro. No. 24-05188 (the \"Adversary Proceeding\") at ECF No. 10.\n\nA copy of the Ruling is attached hereto as Exhibit A.\n\nTo be clear, the Second Extension Motion was docketed in both the Kwok Case and in the Adversary Proceeding. FFP's objection to the Second Extension Motion entitled *Objection and Memorandum of Law in Opposition to First Supplemental Motion of Chapter 11 Trustee to Extend*\n\n*August 15, 2024, Deadline for Trustee to File Avoidance Actions* was docketed in Adversary\n\nProceeding, at ECF No. 16. The Ruling was not filed in the Adversary Proceeding.\n\nNothing in this Notice of Appeal (wherever filed) shall be construed to waive any defenses of FFP, including as to jurisdiction, venue, or any other rights.\n\nThe names of all parties to the Court's order appealed from and the names, addresses and telephone numbers of their respective attorneys are as follows:\n\nJeffrey M. Sklarz (ct20938) Kellianne Baranowsky (ct26684) Green & Sklarz LLC One Audubon Street, 3rd Floor New Haven, CT 06511 (203) 285-8545 [jsklarz@gs-lawfirm.com](mailto:jsklarz@gs-lawfirm.com) [kbaranowsky@gs-lawfirm.com](mailto:kbaranowsky@gs-lawfirm.com)\n\n\\*\\*\\*\\*\\*\\*\\*\\*\\*\\*\\*\\*\\*\\*\\*\\*\\*\\*\\*\\*\\*\\*\\*\\*\\*\\*\\*\\*\\*\n\nDouglas S. Skalka (ct00616) Patrick R. Linsey (ct29437) NEUBERT, PEPE & MONTEITH, P.C.\n\n*Representing* **FFP (BVI) LIMITED** 2 nd Floor, Water's Edge Building P.O. Box 2429 Wickhams Cay II Tortola, VG1110 *Party-in-Interest and Appellant*\n\n*Representing* **Luc A. Despins, Chapter 11 Trustee** PAUL HASTINGS LLP 200 Park Avenue New York, New York 10166\n\n195 Church Street, 13th Floor New Haven, Connecticut 06510 (203) 781-2847 dskalka@npmlaw.com plinsey@npmlaw.com\n\n*Chapter 11 Trustee and Appellee*\n\nand\n\nNicholas A. Bassett (pro hac vice) PAUL HASTINGS LLP 2050 M Street NW Washington, D.C., 20036 (202) 551-1902 nicholasbassett@paulhastings.com\n\nand\n\nDouglass Barron (pro hac vice) PAUL HASTINGS LLP 200 Park Avenue New York, New York 10166 (212) 318-6079 douglassbarron@paulhastings.com\n\nCounsel for the Chapter 11 Trustee\n\nFFP (BVI) LIMITED\n\nBy: /s/Kellianne Baranowsky Jeffrey M. Sklarz (ct20938) Kellianne Baranowsky (ct26684) Green & Sklarz LLC One Audubon Street, 3 rd Floor New Haven, CT 06511 (203) 285-8545 [jsklarz@gs-lawfirm.com](mailto:jsklarz@gs-lawfirm.com) kbaranowsky@gs-lawfirm.com\n\n### **CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE**\n\nI hereby certify that on the date set forth below a copy of the foregoing was served by CMECF and/or mail on anyone unable to accept electronic filing. Notice of this filing will be sent by email to all parties by operation of the Court's electronic filing system or by mail to anyone unable to accept electronic filing as indicated on the Notice of Electronic Filing. Parties may access this filing through the Court's CM/ECF System.\n\nDate: August 27, 2024 /s/ Kellianne Baranowsky\n\n# **EXHIBIT A**\n\n### **UNITED STATES BANKRUPTCY COURT DISTRICT OF CONNECTICUT**\n\nIn re:\n\n HO WAN KWOK, *et al.*, 1\n\nDebtors.\n\n Chapter 11 Case No. 22-50073 (JAM) (Jointly Administered)\n\nRe: ECF No. 3329\n\n#### **ORDER GRANTING SECOND MOTION FOR EXTENSION OF DEADLINE FOR TRUSTEE TO FILE AVOIDANCE ACTIONS**\n\nOn February 15, 2024, the Court entered the Memorandum of Decision and Order Granting in Part Motion to Extend Deadlines (the \"First Extension Order\").<sup>2</sup> (ECF No. 2921.) After notice and an evidentiary hearing held on February 13, 2024 (the \"First Extension Hearing\"), the First Extension Order granted, for the reasons stated therein, the Motion for Entry of Order Extending Deadline for Trustee to File Avoidance Actions (the \"First Extension Motion\") (ECF No. 2509), filed by Mr. Luc A. Despins, in his capacity as the Chapter 11 trustee (the \"Trustee\") for the bankruptcy estate of Mr. Ho Wan Kwok. The First Extension Order extended the statutes of limitations set forth in 11 U.S.C. §§ 108, 546, and 549 from February 15, 2024 – the two-year anniversary of the voluntary filing by Mr. Kwok of his Chapter 11 petition – to August 15, 2024.\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 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> The First Extension Order is incorporated herein by reference.\n\nOn July 19, 2024, the Trustee filed the First Supplemental Motion to Extend August 15, 2024 Deadline for Trustee to File Avoidance Actions (the \"Second Extension Motion\"). (ECF No. 3329.) On July 22, 2024, the Clerk of Court issued a Notice of Hearing, scheduling the Second Extension Motion for hearing on August 13, 2024, setting an objection deadline of August 6, 2024, and a reply deadline of August 9, 2024. (ECF No. 3332.) On July 25, 2024, the Trustee timely filed a certificate of service demonstrating service in accordance with a previously entered order limiting notice of the Second Extension Motion (the \"Order Limiting Notice\"). (ECF No. 3323).\n\nOn August 6, 2024, timely objections to the Second Extension Motion (the \"Objections\") were filed by Ms. Hing Chi Ngok, G Club Operations, LLC, Meta Platforms, Inc., Apple Inc., FFP (BVI) Ltd., Ogier, Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman, LLP, and Weddle Law PC (the \"Objectors\"). (ECF Nos. 3373, 3374, 3375, 3376, 3379.) On August 9, 2024, the Trustee timely filed a reply (the \"Reply\"). (ECF No. 3391.) On August 12, 2024, the Trustee filed a list of witnesses and exhibits. (ECF No. 3395.)\n\nOn August 13, 2024, an evidentiary hearing was held (the \"Second Extension Hearing\"). The Trustee testified and was subject to cross-examination during the Second Extension Hearing, and the parties advanced their arguments. At the conclusion of the Second Extension Hearing, the Court took the Second Extension Motion under advisement.\n\nHaving considered: (i) the Second Extension Motion, the Objections, and the Reply; (ii) the testimony of the Trustee and the arguments of the parties during the Second Extension Hearing; (iii) the pleadings filed in relation to the First Extension Motion and the testimony of the Trustee and arguments of the parties during the First Extension Hearing; and (iv) matters of which the Court may take judicial notice, the Court finds, for the reasons stated in the First\n\nExtension Order, in the Second Extension Motion, during the Second Extension Hearing, and herein, that the Trustee has established cause exists under Fed. R. Bankr. P. 9006(b) to grant the Second Extension Motion, which cause includes without limitation: (1) the pendency of the criminal action styled *United States v. Kwok*, 23 cr 118 (AT) (S.D.N.Y. July 18, 2024) from March 2023 through the date of the entry of this Order and its impact on these cases and the multitude of related adversary proceedings; (2) Mr. Kwok's ongoing contempt of court and failure to perform his statutory duties under 11 U.S.C. § 521; (3) other parties' ongoing contempt of court; (4) the complexity and extent of Mr. Kwok's financial affairs; and (5) the Trustee's diligence in his investigation. The Court is unpersuaded by the arguments of the Objectors to the contrary, including without limitation the arguments that: (a) despite the completely different procedural and factual context in *Harrington v. Purdue Pharma L.P.*, 603 U.S. \\_\\_\\_, 144 S. Ct. 2071 (2024), to which context the Supreme Court of the United States explicitly restricted its holding, the decision in that case mandates the denial of the Second Extension Motion; and (b) the facts and circumstances of these jointly administered Chapter 11 cases are, at this time, no longer extraordinary. While the Trustee will ultimately conclude his investigation, that time has not yet come. Accordingly, pursuant to Fed. R. Bankr. P. 9006, it is hereby\n\n**ORDERED:** The Second Extension Motion (ECF No. 3329) is granted as set forth herein; and it is further\n\n**ORDERED:** The time limitations set forth in 11 U.S.C. §§ 108, 546, and 549 for the Trustee to commence avoidance actions and other actions on behalf of the estate, as well as for amending any pending complaints, are extended through and including February 15, 2025, which date may be further extended upon notice and a hearing; and it is further\n\n3\n\n**ORDERED:** The terms and conditions of this Order shall be immediately effective and\n\nenforceable upon its entry; and it is further\n\n**ORDERED:** The Trustee is authorized to take all actions necessary to effectuate the\n\nrelief granted herein; and it is further\n\n**ORDERED:** The Court shall retain jurisdiction with respect to all matters arising from or related to the interpretation or implementation of this Order.\n\nDated at Bridgeport, Connecticut this 14th day of August, 2024.\n\n![](_page_8_Picture_7.jpeg)","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：\n\nHO WAN KWOK（郭文贵）等，\n\n债务人。\n\nLUC A. DESPINS（卢克·A·德斯平斯），第11章破产受托人\n原告，\n—诉—\nFFP (BVI) LIMITED，\n被告。\n\n第11章案号：22-50073 (JAM)（合并审理）\n\n对抗性程序案号：24-05056 (JAM)\n\n2024年8月27日\n上诉通知书\n\n请注意，根据 Fed. R. Bankr. P. 8001 et seq.，上述标题所示对抗性程序中的被告 FFP (BVI) Limited（“FFP”），特此提交对其就破产法院于2024年8月14日作出的《准予受托人延长提起撤销权诉讼截止期限第二次动议的命令》（filed in the above-captioned bankruptcy case, Case No. 22-50073, (the \"Kwok Case\") at ECF No. 3417）（下称“该裁定”）提起上诉的通知，该裁定准予了\n\n1 第11章主案件中的债务人为 Ho Wan Kwok（亦称郭文贵、Miles Guo 及 Miles Kwok）（纳税人识别号后四位：9595）、Genever Holdings LLC（纳税人识别号后四位：8202）及 Genever Holdings Corporation。受托人、Genever Holdings LLC 及 Genever Holdings Corporation 的邮寄地址为 Paul Hastings LLP, 200 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10166 c/o Luc A. Despins, as Trustee for the Estate of Ho Wan Kwok。\n\n受托人 Luc A. Despins，第11章受托人（下称“受托人”）提交的《第11章受托人延长受托人提起撤销权诉讼2024年8月15日截止期限之第一份补充动议》（下称“第二次延期动议”），该动议已在郭案（ECF No. 3329）及上述对抗性程序 Adv. Pro. No. 24-05188（下称“对抗性程序”）（ECF No. 10）中归档。\n\n该裁定的副本作为附件 A 附于本通知。\n\n需要明确的是，第二次延期动议在郭案和对抗性程序中均已归档登记。FFP 对第二次延期动议提出的异议，题为《对第11章受托人延长受托人提起撤销权诉讼2024年8月15日截止期限之第一份补充动议的异议及反对法律备忘录》，已在对抗性程序中登记归档于 ECF No. 16。该裁定并未在对抗性程序中归档。\n\n本上诉通知书中的任何内容（无论在何处归档）均不得解释为放弃 FFP 的任何抗辩，包括管辖权、审理地或任何其他权利。\n\n对本法院被上诉命令涉及的所有当事人的姓名/名称及其各自律师的姓名、地址和电话号码如下：\n\nJeffrey M. Sklarz (ct20938) Kellianne Baranowsky (ct26684) Green & Sklarz LLC One Audubon Street, 3rd Floor New Haven, CT 06511 (203) 285-8545 [jsklarz@gs-lawfirm.com] [kbaranowsky@gs-lawfirm.com]\n\n\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\*\n\nDouglas S. Skalka (ct00616) Patrick R. Linsey (ct29437) NEUBERT, PEPE & MONTEITH, P.C.\n\n代表 FFP (BVI) LIMITED 2nd Floor, Water's Edge Building P.O. Box 2429 Wickhams Cay II Tortola, VG1110 利害关系人及上诉人\n\n代表 Luc A. Despins，第11章受托人 PAUL HASTINGS LLP 200 Park Avenue New York, New York 10166\n\n195 Church Street, 13th Floor New Haven, Connecticut 06510 (203) 781-2847 dskalka@npmlaw.com plinsey@npmlaw.com\n\n第11章受托人及被上诉人\n\n以及\n\nNicholas A. Bassett (pro hac vice) PAUL HASTINGS LLP 2050 M Street NW Washington, D.C., 20036 (202) 551-1902 nicholasbassett@paulhastings.com\n\n以及\n\nDouglass Barron (pro hac vice) PAUL HASTINGS LLP 200 Park Avenue New York, New York 10166 (212) 318-6079 douglassbarron@paulhastings.com\n\n第11章受托人之法律顾问\n\nFFP (BVI) LIMITED\n\n签署人：/s/ Kellianne Baranowsky Jeffrey M. Sklarz (ct20938) Kellianne Baranowsky (ct26684) Green & Sklarz LLC One Audubon Street, 3rd Floor New Haven, CT 06511 (203) 285-8545 [jsklarz@gs-lawfirm.com] kbaranowsky@gs-lawfirm.com\n送达证明\n\n我特此证明，在下述日期，前述文件的副本已通过 CM/ECF 和/或邮寄方式送达给任何无法接受电子归档的人员。本归档的通知将通过法院电子归档系统的运行以电子邮件形式发送给所有当事人，或按照电子归档通知上的指示邮寄给任何无法接受电子归档的人员。当事人可通过法院的 CM/ECF 系统查阅此归档文件。\n\n日期：2024年8月27日 /s/ Kellianne Baranowsky\n附件 A\nUNITED STATES BANKRUPTCY COURT DISTRICT OF CONNECTICUT（美国康涅狄格区破产法院）\n\n关于：\n\nHO WAN KWOK（郭文贵）等，1\n\n债务人。\n\n第11章案号：22-50073 (JAM)（合并审理）\n\n涉及：ECF No. 3329\n准予受托人延长提起撤销权诉讼截止期限第二次动议的命令\n\n2024年2月15日，法院作出了《关于部分准予延长截止期限动议的决定备忘录及命令》（下称“第一次延期命令”）。2（ECF No. 2921。）经通知并于2024年2月13日举行证据听证会（下称“第一次延期听证会”）后，第一次延期命令基于其中阐明的理由，准予了 Luc A. Despins 先生以其作为 Ho Wan Kwok 先生破产财产的第11章受托人（下称“受托人”）身份提交的《关于作出延长受托人提起撤销权诉讼截止期限命令的动议》（下称“第一次延期动议”）（ECF No. 2509）。第一次延期命令将 11 U.S.C. §§ 108、546 和 549 规定的诉讼时效从2024年2月15日——即 Kwok 先生自愿提交第11章破产申请的两周年纪念日——延长至2024年8月15日。\n\n1 这些第11章案件中的债务人为 Ho Wan Kwok（亦称郭文贵、Miles Guo 和 Miles Kwok，以及众多其他化名）（纳税人识别号后四位：9595）、Genever Holdings LLC（纳税人识别号后四位：8202）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 c/o Luc A. Despins, as Trustee for the Estate of Ho Wan Kwok（仅用于通知与联络目的）。\n\n2 第一次延期命令通过援引并入本命令。\n\n2024年7月19日，受托人提交了《关于延长受托人提起撤销权诉讼2024年8月15日截止期限的第一份补充动议》（下称“第二次延期动议”）。（ECF No. 3329。）2024年7月22日，法院书记官签发了《听证通知》，排定第二次延期动议于2024年8月13日举行听证，设定异议截止期限为2024年8月6日，答辩截止期限为2024年8月9日。（ECF No. 3332。）2024年7月25日，受托人及时提交了送达证明，证明已按照先前作出的限制第二次延期动议通知范围的命令（下称“限制通知命令”）完成了送达。（ECF No. 3323）。\n\n2024年8月6日，Hing Chi Ngok（岳庆芝）女士、G Club Operations, LLC、Meta Platforms, Inc.、Apple Inc.、FFP (BVI) Ltd.、Ogier、Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman, LLP 及 Weddle Law PC（下称“异议人”）对第二次延期动议及时提交了异议（下称“异议”）。（ECF Nos. 3373, 3374, 3375, 3376, 3379。）2024年8月9日，受托人及时提交了答辩（下称“答辩”）。（ECF No. 3391。）2024年8月12日，受托人提交了证人及证据清单。（ECF No. 3395。）\n\n2024年8月13日，法院举行了证据听证会（下称“第二次延期听证会”）。受托人在第二次延期听证会上作证并接受了交叉询问，各方当事人陈述了各自的主张。在第二次延期听证会结束时，法院宣布对第二次延期动议进行斟酌审议。\n\n经考虑：(i) 第二次延期动议、异议及答辩；(ii) 受托人在第二次延期听证会上的证言及各方当事人在听证会期间的陈词；(iii) 就第一次延期动议提交的诉讼文书以及受托人在第一次延期听证会上的证言和各方当事人的陈词；以及 (iv) 法院可依职权予以司法认知的事项，法院根据第一次延期命令中、第二次延期动议中、第二次延期听证会期间及本命令中阐明的理由认定，受托人已证明存在根据 Fed. R. Bankr. P. 9006(b) 准予第二次延期动议的事由，该事由包括但不限于：(1) 自2023年3月起至本命令作出之日止名为 United States v. Kwok, 23 cr 118 (AT) (S.D.N.Y. July 18, 2024) 的刑事诉讼案的未决状态及其对本案和众多相关对抗性程序的影响；(2) Kwok 先生持续藐视法庭并未能履行其在 11 U.S.C. § 521 项下的法定义务；(3) 其他当事人持续藐视法庭；(4) Kwok 先生财务事务的复杂性和广度；以及 (5) 受托人在其调查中的勤勉尽责。异议人提出的相反主张未能说服法院，包括但不限于以下主张：(a) 尽管 Harrington v. Purdue Pharma L.P., 603 U.S. \\_\\_\\_, 144 S. Ct. 2071 (2024) 一案具有完全不同的程序和事实背景，且 United States Supreme Court（美国最高法院）明确将其裁决限定在该背景之下，但该案的判决仍要求驳回第二次延期动议；以及 (b) 这些合并审理的第11章案件的事实和情况在目前已不再属于特殊情形。虽然受托人最终将结束其调查，但该时机尚未到来。因此，根据 Fed. R. Bankr. P. 9006，特此\n\n命令：第二次延期动议（ECF No. 3329）按本命令所述予以准予；并进一步\n\n命令：11 U.S.C. §§ 108、546 和 549 规定的受托人代表破产财产提起撤销权诉讼和其他诉讼以及修改任何未决起诉书的时限，延长至2024年2月15日并包含该日，该日期可经通知和听证后进一步延长；并进一步\n命令：本命令的条款和条件在作出后立即生效并具有执行力；并进一步\n\n命令：受托人获授权采取一切必要行动以落实本命令所准予的救济；并进一步\n\n命令：法院应对由本命令的解释或执行引起的或与之相关的所有事项保留管辖权。\n\n2024年8月14日于康涅狄格州布里奇波特签署。","key_entities":["Kwok","Je","Ho Wan Kwok","Despins","Paul Hastings","Guo","Miles Guo"],"ecf_references":[{"doc_number":10,"court":"CTB"},{"doc_number":16,"court":"CTB"},{"doc_number":2509,"court":"CTB"},{"doc_number":2921,"court":"CTB"},{"doc_number":3323,"court":"CTB"},{"doc_number":3329,"court":"CTB"},{"doc_number":3332,"court":"CTB"},{"doc_number":3391,"court":"CTB"},{"doc_number":3395,"court":"CTB"},{"doc_number":3417,"court":"CTB"}],"word_count":1688,"status":"published","published_at":null,"created_at":null,"updated_at":"2026-08-23 12:59:24"}