{"id":"court_ctb_3468_0","court":"CTB","case_no":"22-50073","doc_number":3468,"sub_number":0,"doc_type":"ORDER","filed_date":null,"title":"UNITED STATES BANKRUPTCY COURT DISTRICT OF CONNECTICUT | In re:<br>Ho Wan Kwok, et al.,      | Debtors.1  | Chapter 11<b","summary_zh":null,"summary_en":null,"body_en":"# **UNITED STATES BANKRUPTCY COURT DISTRICT OF CONNECTICUT**\n\n| In re:<br>Ho Wan Kwok, et al.,      | Debtors.1  | Chapter 11<br>Case No. 22-50073 (JAM)<br>(Jointly Administered) |\n|-------------------------------------|------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------|\n| Luc A. Despins, Chapter 11 Trustee, | Plaintiff, |                                                                 |\n| —v.—                                |            | Adv. Pro. No. 24-05188                                          |\n| Weddle Law PLLC,                    | Defendant. | August 28, 2024                                                 |\n\n#### **NOTICE OF APPEAL**\n\nPLEASE TAKE NOTICE that pursuant to Fed. R. Bankr. P. 8001 *et seq.,* Weddle Law PLLC, the defendant in the above-captioned adversary proceeding (\"Weddle Law\") 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 the 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 the Kwok Case at ECF No. 3329 and in the above-\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\ncaptioned adversary proceeding, Adv. Pro. No. 24-05188 (the \"Adversary Proceeding\") at ECF No. 25.\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\n\nAdversary Proceeding. Weddle Law's objection to the Second Extension Motion entitled\n\n*Objection and Memorandum of Law in Opposition to First Supplemental Motion of Chapter 11*\n\n*Trustee to Extend August 15, 2024, Deadline for Trustee to File Avoidance Actions* was docketed\n\nin Adversary Proceeding, at ECF No. 29. 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 Weddle Law, 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*Representing* **WEDDLE LAW PLLC**\n\n37 West 20th Street Suite 1206 New York, NY 10011 *Party-in-Interest and Appellant*\n\nand\n\nRichard J. Corbi (Pro Hac Vice) The Law Offices of Richard J. Corbi PLLC 1501 Broadway, 12th Floor New York, NY 10036 rcorbi@corbilaw.com\n\n\\*\\*\\*\\*\\*\\*\\*\\*\\*\\*\\*\\*\\*\\*\\*\\*\\*\\*\\*\\*\\*\\*\\*\\*\\*\\*\\*\\*\\*\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\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\n*Representing* **Luc A. Despins, Chapter 11 Trustee** PAUL HASTINGS LLP 200 Park Avenue New York, New York 10166\n\n*Chapter 11 Trustee and Appellee*\n\nWEDDLE LAW PLLC\n\nBy: /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](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 CM/ECF 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 28, 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（美国康涅狄格区破产法院）\n\n案由：\nHo Wan Kwok（郭文贵）等人，债务人。1　第 11 章\n案件编号：22-50073 (JAM)\n（合并审理）\n\nLuc A. Despins，第 11 章受托人，原告，\n—诉—　对抗程序编号：24-05188\nWeddle Law PLLC，被告。　2024年8月28日\n上诉通知书\n\n请注意，根据 Fed. R. Bankr. P. 8001 et seq.，上述标题对抗程序中的被告 Weddle Law PLLC（“Weddle Law”）特此就破产法院于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之第二次动议的命令》提起上诉通知；该命令已在上述标题破产案件（案件编号：22-50073，“Kwok 案”）中以 ECF No. 3417 入卷（“裁定”），并准予了受托人 Luc A. Despins（第 11 章受托人，“受托人”）提交的《第 11 章受托人关于延长受托人提起撤销权诉讼之2024年8月15日截止期限的第一次补充动议》（“第二次延期动议”），该动议已在 Kwok 案中以 ECF No. 3329 入卷，并在上述\n\n1 主第 11 章案件中的债务人为 Ho Wan Kwok（郭文贵，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（普衡律师事务所），200 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10166 转交 Luc A. Despins（作为 Ho Wan Kwok 破产财团的受托人）。\n\n标题对抗程序（对抗程序编号：24-05188，“对抗程序”）中以 ECF No. 25 入卷。\n\n裁定副本作为附件 A 附于本通知后。\n\n澄清说明：第二次延期动议同时在 Kwok 案和对抗程序中登记入卷。Weddle Law 对第二次延期动议提出的异议，题为《对第 11 章受托人关于延长受托人提起撤销权诉讼之2024年8月15日截止期限的第一次补充动议的异议及反对法律备忘录》，已在对抗程序中以 ECF No. 29 入卷。该裁定并未在对抗程序中归档。\n\n本上诉通知书中的任何内容（无论归档于何处）均不得被解释为放弃 Weddle Law 的任何抗辩权，包括关于管辖权、审理法院（venue）或任何其他权利的抗辩。\n\n被上诉法院命令的所有当事人姓名/名称，及其各自代理律师的姓名、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代表 WEDDLE LAW PLLC\n\n37 West 20th Street Suite 1206 New York, NY 10011 利害关系人及上诉人\n\n以及\n\nRichard J. Corbi (Pro Hac Vice，特许出庭律师) The Law Offices of Richard J. Corbi PLLC 1501 Broadway, 12th Floor New York, NY 10036 rcorbi@corbilaw.com\n\n\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\*\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以及\n\nNicholas A. Bassett (pro hac vice，特许出庭律师) 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，特许出庭律师) PAUL HASTINGS LLP 200 Park Avenue New York, New York 10166 (212) 318-6079 douglassbarron@paulhastings.com\n\n第 11 章受托人代理律师\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\n第 11 章受托人及被上诉人\n\nWEDDLE LAW PLLC\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\n送达证书\n\n本人特此证明，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通过邮寄方式发送给任何无法接受电子归档的人员。各方当事人可通过法院的 CM/ECF 系统查阅本次归档文件。\n\n日期：2024年8月28日 /s/ Kellianne Baranowsky\n\n附件 A\n\nUNITED STATES BANKRUPTCY COURT DISTRICT OF CONNECTICUT\n\n案由：\n\nHO WAN KWOK 等人，1\n\n债务人。\n\n第 11 章 案件编号：22-50073 (JAM) （合并审理）\n\n涉及：ECF No. 3329\n\n准予受托人延长提起撤销权诉讼截止期限之第二次动议的命令\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》（“第一次延期命令”）。2（ECF No. 2921。）经发出通知并于2024年2月13日举行证据听证会（“第一次延期听证会”）后，基于其中所述理由，第一次延期命令准予了由 Luc A. Despins 先生以 Ho Wan Kwok 先生破产财团的第 11 章受托人（“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》（“第一次延期动议”）（ECF No. 2509）。第一次延期命令将 11 U.S.C. §§ 108、546 及 549 规定的诉讼时效从2024年2月15日——即 Kwok 先生自愿提出第 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 及 Miles Kwok，以及其他众多化名）（纳税人识别号后四位：9595）、Genever Holdings LLC（纳税人识别号后四位：8202）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 转交 Luc A. Despins（作为 Ho Wan Kwok 破产财团的受托人，仅用于接收通知和往来信函）。\n\n2 第一次延期命令通过援引并入本文件。\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之2024年8月15日截止期限的第一次补充动议》（“第二次延期动议”）。（ECF No. 3329。）2024年7月22日，法院书记官发出《听证通知》，将第二次延期动议的听证排期于2024年8月13日，设定异议截止期限为2024年8月6日，答复截止期限为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书，证明其已按照此前作出的限制第二次延期动议通知范围的命令（“限制通知命令”）完成了送达。（ECF No. 3323）。\n\n2024年8月6日，Hing Chi Ngok 女士、G Club Operations, LLC、Meta Platforms, Inc.、Apple Inc.、FFP (BVI) Ltd.、Ogier、Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman, LLP 以及 Weddle Law PC（“异议人”）对第二次延期动议及时提交了异议（“异议”）。（ECF Nos. 3373、3374、3375、3376、3379。）2024年8月9日，受托人及时提交了答复（“答复”）。（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，举行了证据听证会（“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（took under advisement）。\n\n在审议了：(i) 第二次延期动议、异议及答复；(ii) 受托人的证言及各方当事人在第二次延期听证会上的主张；(iii) 就第一次延期动议提交的诉状文书以及受托人的证言和各方当事人在第一次延期听证会上的主张；以及 (iv) 法院可进行司法认知的事项之后，基于第一次\n\n延期命令、第二次延期动议、第二次延期听证会期间以及本命令中所述的理由，法院认定受托人已确立根据 Fed. R. Bankr. P. 9006(b) 准予第二次延期动议的充分正当理由（cause），该正当理由包括但不限于：(1) 自2023年3月起至本命令作出之日止处于未决状态的案名为 United States v. Kwok, 23 cr 118 (AT) (S.D.N.Y.（纽约南区联邦地区法院） July 18, 2024) 的刑事诉讼，及其对本案和大量相关对抗程序产生的影响；(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与广泛性；以及 (5) 受托人在其调查中的尽职尽责。法院未被异议人的反向主张所说服，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) 具有完全不同的程序和事实背景，且 Supreme Court of the United States（美国联邦最高法院）明确将其判决结论限定于该背景，但该案的裁决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当前已不再具有特殊性。受托人最终虽会结束其调查，但该时机尚未到来。因此，根据 Fed. R. Bankr. P. 9006，特此\n\n裁定：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裁定：11 U.S.C. §§ 108、546 及 549 规定的受托人代表破产财团提起撤销权诉讼及其他诉讼、以及修改任何未决起诉状的时效限制，延长至2025年2月15日（含当日），该日期可在发出通知并举行听证后进一步延长；并进一步\n\n裁定：本命令的条款和条件在其作出入卷后立即生效并具有执行力；并进一步\n\n裁定：受托人获授权采取一切必要行动以实现本命令所准予的救济；并进一步\n\n裁定：本法院将保留对因本命令的解释或执行而产生或与之相关的所有事项的管辖权。\n\n2024年8月14日订于 Connecticut（康涅狄格州）Bridgeport（布里奇波特）。","key_entities":["Kwok","Je","Ho Wan Kwok","Despins","Paul Hastings","Guo","Miles Guo"],"ecf_references":[{"doc_number":25,"court":"CTB"},{"doc_number":29,"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":1697,"status":"published","published_at":null,"created_at":null,"updated_at":"2026-08-23 12:59:11"}