{"id":"court_ctb_3603_0","court":"CTB","case_no":"22-50073","doc_number":3603,"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| 1
HO WAN KWOK,
et al., | :
:
Case No. 22-50073 (JAM) |\n| Debtor. | :
:
(Jointly Administered) |\n| -------------------------------------------------------
LUC A. DESPINS, Chapter 11 Trustee, | x
:
:
Adv. Proceeding No. 23-05017
: |\n| Plaintiff, | : |\n| v. | :
:
: |\n| TAURUS FUND LLC,
SCOTT BARNETT, as trustee of TAURUS
FUND LLC, and
TAURUS MANAGEMENT LLC, as trustee
of TAURUS FUND LLC, | :
:
:
:
: |\n| Defendants.
------------------------------------------------------- | :
:
x |\n\n# **MOTION OF CHAPTER 11 TRUSTEE TO EXPEDITE HEARING ON MOTION FOR ENTRY OF ORDER AUTHORIZING TRUSTEE TO SELL MAHWAH MANSION AND ITS CONTENTS, SUBJECT TO ENTRY OF FURTHER ORDERS, INCLUDING AS TO RETENTION OF BROKER, TERMS OF SUCH SALES, AND PARTIES' ENTITLEMENT TO SALE PROCEEDS**\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 and the Genever Debtors 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\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\"), debtor in these above-captioned jointly administered cases (the \"Chapter 11 Cases\"), hereby files this motion (this \"Motion\") requesting entry of an order, substantially in the form attached as **Exhibit 1** hereto (the \"Proposed Order\"), scheduling an expedited hearing to consider and determine the *Motion of Chapter 11 Trustee For Entry of Order Authorizing Trustee to Sell Mahwah Mansion and Its Contents, Subject to Entry of Further Orders, Including as to Retention of Broker, Terms of Such Sales, and Parties' Entitlement to Sale Proceeds* (the \"Motion to Authorize\").2 In support of this Motion, the Trustee respectfully represents as follows:\n\n#### **JURISDICTION, VENUE, AND STATUTORY BASIS**\n\n1. The United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Connecticut (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 matter is a core proceeding within the meaning of 28 U.S.C. § 157(b).\n\n2. Venue in the District of Connecticut is proper pursuant to 28 U.S.C. §§ 1408 and 1409.\n\n3. The basis for the relief sought by this Motion is Rule 9006(c)(1) of the Federal Rules of Bankruptcy Procedure (the \"Bankruptcy Rules\").\n\n#### **BACKGROUND**\n\n4. Concurrently herewith, the Trustee filed the Motion to Authorize seeking entry of an order authorizing the Trustee to sell the Mahwah Mansion and the Contents, subject to further orders of this Court (i) approving the Trustee's retention of real estate brokers and/or auctioneers\n\n2 Capitalized terms used but not otherwise defined herein have the meanings set forth in the Motion to Authorize.\n\nto market and/or facilitate such sales, (ii) authorizing the terms and conditions of such sales to one or more prospective buyers, and (iii) determining the parties' entitlements to the net proceeds from such sales.\n\n5. For additional background on the Motion to Authorize and this Motion, the Trustee refers to, and incorporates by reference, the background section in the Motion to Authorize.\n\n#### **RELIEF REQUESTED**\n\n6. By this Motion, the Trustee respectfully requests the Court schedule a hearing with respect to the Motion to Authorize at the Court's earliest convenience, but in no event later than **October 15, 2024**. Given the proposed expedited schedule, the Trustee would accept receiving the Defendants' objection only 24 hours before the scheduled hearing on this Motion.\n\n### **BASIS FOR RELIEF REQUESTED**\n\n7. Pursuant to Bankruptcy Rule 9006(c)(1), the Court may reduce the notice period when requested by motion where cause is demonstrated. Cause exists to consider and determine the Motion to Authorize on an expedited basis.\n\n8. The hearing on the Motion to Authorize should be heard on an expedited basis due to the urgent need to commence the sale process for the Mahwah Mansion and the Contents. As explained in the Motion to Authorize, the Trustee is currently in the unsustainable position of having to fund approximately \\$300,000 per quarter in carrying cost for the Mahwah Mansion property that has yet to be determined to be property of the Debtor's chapter 11 estate (the \"Estate\"). These enormous costs will only serve to *reduce* the net value ultimately to be realized by the Estate. Indeed, given the Defendants' failure to cover such costs, the only way to reduce\n\n3\n\nthe burden on the Estate is to authorize the Trustee now to sell the Mahwah Mansion and the Contents, thereby shortening the period over which such costs will have to be incurred.\n\n9. Finally, the Trustee contacted the Defendants' counsel with respect to the relief he is seeking here more than six days ago. That time period should be considered by the Court when scheduling the hearing on the Motion to Authorize.\n\n10. For these reasons, it is critical that the Court consider the Motion to Authorize at its earliest convenience.\n\n### **NO PREVIOUS REQUEST**\n\n11. No previous request for the relief sought herein has been made by the Trustee to this or any other court.\n\n[*Remainder of page intentionally left blank*.]\n\nWHEREFORE, for the foregoing reasons, Trustee requests that the Court enter an order\n\ngranting the relief requested in this Motion and such other relief as is just and proper.\n\nNew Haven, Connecticut\n\n## Dated: October 1, 2024 LUC A. DESPINS, CHAPTER 11 TRUSTEE\n\nBy: */s/ Patrick R. Linsey* Patrick R. Linsey (ct29437) NEUBERT, PEPE & MONTEITH, P.C. 195 Church Street, 13th Floor New Haven, Connecticut 06510 (203) 781-2847 plinsey@npmlaw.com\n\n*and*\n\nG. Alexander Bongartz (admitted *pro hac vice*) Douglass Barron (admitted *pro hac vice*) PAUL HASTINGS LLP 200 Park Avenue New York, New York 10166 (212) 318-6000 alexbongartz@paulhastings.com 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*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| 1
HO WAN KWOK,
et al., | :
:
Case No. 22-50073 (JAM) |\n| Debtor. | :
:
(Jointly Administered) |\n| -------------------------------------------------------
LUC A. DESPINS, Chapter 11 Trustee, | x
:
:
Adv. Proceeding No. 23-05017
: |\n| Plaintiff, | : |\n| v. | :
:
: |\n| TAURUS FUND LLC,
SCOTT BARNETT, as trustee of TAURUS
FUND LLC, and
TAURUS MANAGEMENT LLC, as trustee
of TAURUS FUND LLC, | :
:
:
:
: |\n| Defendants.
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:
x |\n\n## **[PROPOSED] ORDER SCHEDULING EXPEDITED HEARING**\n\nThe Court having considered the motion (the \"Motion to Expedite\") seeking an expedited hearing on the *Motion of Chapter 11 Trustee For Entry of Order Authorizing Trustee to Sell Mahwah Mansion and Its Contents, Subject to Entry of Further Orders, Including as to Retention of Broker, Terms of Such Sales, and Parties' Entitlement to Sale Proceeds* (the\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 and the Genever Debtors 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\"Motion to Authorize\") [Adv. ECF No. \\_\\_\\_] (the \"Motion to Authorize\")2 and good cause appearing, it is hereby\n\nORDERED, that a hearing on the Motion to Authorize shall be held on **October [\\_\\_], 2024 at [\\_\\_]** at the United States Bankruptcy Court, District of Connecticut, Bridgeport Division, 915 Lafayette Boulevard, Room 123, Bridgeport, CT 06604; and it is further\n\nORDERED, that the deadline to object to the Motion to Authorize shall be **October**\n\n**[\\_\\_], 2024 at [\\_\\_\\_]**; and it is further\n\nORDERED, that a copy of this Order, along with the Motion to Expedite and any attachments thereto, shall be served upon (a) the Defendants in the Adversary Proceeding, (b) the Debtor, (c) the Official Committee of Unsecured Creditors, (d) the United States Trustee, and (e) all parties appearing in the Chapter 11 Case eligible to receive electronic notice (collectively, the \"Notice Parties\"), and the Trustee shall file a certificate of service in advance of the Hearing.\n\n2 Capitalized terms used but not otherwise defined in this Motion to Expedite have the meanings set forth in the Motion to Authorize.\n\n# **UNITED STATES BANKRUPTCY COURT DISTRICT OF CONNECTICUT BRIDGEPORT DIVISION**\n\n| ----------------------------------------------------------- | x |\n|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|--------------------------------------------------|\n| In re: | :
:
Chapter 11 |\n| 1
HO WAN KWOK,
et al., | :
:
Case No. 22-50073 (JAM) |\n| Debtor. | :
:
(Jointly Administered) |\n| -------------------------------------------------------
LUC A. DESPINS, Chapter 11 Trustee, | x
:
:
Adv. Proceeding No. 23-05017
: |\n| Plaintiff, | :
: |\n| v. | : |\n| TAURUS FUND LLC,
SCOTT BARNETT, as trustee of TAURUS
FUND LLC, and
TAURUS MANAGEMENT LLC, as trustee
of TAURUS FUND LLC, | :
:
:
:
:
: |\n| Defendants.
------------------------------------------------------- | :
:
x |\n| | |\n\n## **CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE**\n\nThe undersigned hereby certifies that the date hereof, the foregoing Motion was electronically filed in the above-captioned chapter 11 case (the \"Chapter 11 Case\") and adversary proceeding (the \"Adversary Proceeding\"). Notice of this filing was sent by e-mail to all parties to the Chapter 11 Case and Adversary Proceeding by operation of the Court's\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 and the Genever Debtors 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\nelectronic filing (\"CM/ECF\") 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\nDated: October 1, 2024 By: */s/ Patrick R. Linsey*\n\nNew Haven, Connecticut Patrick R. Linsey (ct29437) NEUBERT, PEPE & MONTEITH, P.C. 195 Church Street, 13th Floor New Haven, Connecticut 06510 (203) 781-2847 plinsey@npmlaw.com *Counsel for the Chapter 11 Trustee*","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部）\n\n----------------------------------------------------------- x\n\n关于：\n第 11 章\n\nHo Wan Kwok（郭文贵）等，\n债务人。\n案件编号：22-50073 (JAM)\n（合并审理）\n\nLuc A. Despins，第 11 章受托人，\n原告，\n诉\n对手方诉讼编号：23-05017\n\nTaurus Fund LLC、\nScott Barnett（作为 Taurus Fund LLC 受托人），以及\nTaurus Management LLC（作为 Taurus Fund LLC 受托人），\n被告。\n\nx\n\n第 11 章受托人请求加快审理关于作出准予受托人出售马 wah 庄园及其内部财物之裁定的动议的动议，该出售须受进一步裁定之约束，包括关于聘请经纪人、该等出售条款以及各方对出售收益之权利主张的裁定\n\n1 本等第 11 章案件中的债务人为 Ho Wan Kwok（郭文贵，亦称郭文贵、Miles Guo、Miles Kwok 以及诸多其他化名）（纳税人识别号后四位：9595）、Genever Holdings LLC（纳税人识别号后四位：8202）以及 Genever Holdings Corporation。受托人及 Genever 债务人的邮寄地址为 Paul Hastings LLP, 200 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10166 转交 Ho Wan Kwok 破产财团受托人 Luc A. Despins（仅用于通知与联络目的）。\n\nLuc A. Despins 以其在上述标题所示合并审理案件（以下简称“第 11 章案件”）的债务人 Ho Wan Kwok（以下简称“债务人”）的第 11 章案件中所指定的第 11 章受托人（以下简称“受托人”）身份，特此提交本动议（以下简称“本动议”），请求作出实质上与本动议附件 1 格式相同的裁定（以下简称“拟定裁定”），排期举行加急听证会以审议并决定《第 11 章受托人请求作出准予受托人出售 Mahwah 庄园及其内部财物之裁定的动议，该出售须受进一步裁定之约束，包括关于聘请经纪人、该等出售条款以及各方对出售收益之权利主张的裁定》（以下简称“授权动议”）2。为支持本动议，受托人谨陈述如下：\n\n管辖权、审判地及法定依据\n\n1. 根据 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区法院）的常规移送命令，United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Connecticut（美国康涅狄格区联邦破产法院，以下简称“本法院”）对本事项拥有管辖权。本事项属于 28 U.S.C. § 157(b) 含义范围内的核心诉讼程序。\n\n2. 根据 28 U.S.C. §§ 1408 和 1409，康涅狄格区的审判地适格。\n\n3. 本动议所寻求救济的依据为《联邦破产诉讼程序规则》（以下简称“《破产规则》”）第 9006(c)(1) 条。\n\n背景\n\n4. 与本动议同时，受托人提交了授权动议，请求作出准予受托人出售 Mahwah 庄园及内部财物的裁定，但须受本法院进一步作出的以下裁定约束：(i) 批准受托人聘请房地产经纪人和/或拍卖师\n\n2 本文中已使用但未另行定义的首字母大写术语具有授权动议中所规定的含义。\n\n以推销和/或促成此类出售，(ii) 批准向一名或多名意向买家进行此类出售的条款与条件，以及 (iii) 确定各方对此类出售净收益的权利主张。\n\n5. 关于授权动议及本动议的进一步背景情况，受托人援引并以纳入参考方式并入授权动议中的背景部分。\n\n请求的救济\n\n6. 通过本动议，受托人谨请求本法院在本法院尽早方便的时间为授权动议排期举行听证会，但在任何情况下不得迟于 2024 年 10 月 15 日。鉴于所提议的加急时间表，受托人接受在预定的本动议听证会举行前仅 24 小时收到被告的异议书。\n\n请求救济的依据\n\n7. 根据《破产规则》第 9006(c)(1) 条，当经动议提出请求并证明存在合理事由时，本法院可缩短通知期限。目前存在以加急方式审议并决定授权动议的合理事由。\n\n8. 鉴于启动 Mahwah 庄园及内部财物出售程序的紧迫需求，应当以加急方式对授权动议举行听证。如授权动议中所说明，受托人目前处于不可持续的境地，必须为尚未被裁定属于债务人第 11 章破产财团（以下简称“破产财团”）财产的 Mahwah 庄园房产每季度垫付约 300,000 美元的维持费用。这些巨额费用只会导致破产财团最终可实现的净值减少。确实，鉴于被告未能承担此类费用，减轻破产财团负担的唯一办法，就是现在授权受托人出售 Mahwah 庄园及内部财物，从而缩短必须产生此类费用的期限。\n\n9. 最后，受托人就其在此寻求的救济在六天前就已联系了被告的律师。本法院在为授权动议排期举行听证会时应当考虑该时间段。\n\n10. 基于这些理由，本法院尽早审议授权动议至关重要。\n\n此前未提出过请求\n\n11. 受托人此前未就本文所寻求的救济向本法院或任何其他法院提出过请求。\n\n[此页其余部分特意留白。]\n\n为此，基于上述理由，受托人请求本法院作出裁定，准予本动议所请求的救济以及公正恰当的其他救济。\n\n康涅狄格州纽黑文\n日期：2024 年 10 月 1 日\nLuc A. Despins，第 11 章受托人\n\n签署人：/s/ Patrick R. Linsey\nPatrick R. Linsey (ct29437)\nNeubert, Pepe & Monteith, P.C.\n195 Church Street, 13th Floor\nNew Haven, Connecticut 06510\n(203) 781-2847\nplinsey@npmlaw.com\n\n及\n\nG. Alexander Bongartz（特许出庭律师）\nDouglass Barron（特许出庭律师）\nPaul Hastings LLP\n200 Park Avenue\nNew York, New York 10166\n(212) 318-6000\nalexbongartz@paulhastings.com\ndouglassbarron@paulhastings.com\n\n及\n\nNicholas A. Bassett（特许出庭律师）\nPaul Hastings LLP\n2050 M Street NW\nWashington, D.C., 20036\n(202) 551-1902\nnicholasbassett@paulhastings.com\n\n第 11 章受托人之代理律师\n\n附件 1\n\n拟定裁定\n\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部）\n\n----------------------------------------------------------- x\n\n关于：\n第 11 章\n\nHo Wan Kwok 等，\n债务人。\n案件编号：22-50073 (JAM)\n（合并审理）\n\nLuc A. Despins，第 11 章受托人，\n原告，\n诉\n对手方诉讼编号：23-05017\n\nTaurus Fund LLC、\nScott Barnett（作为 Taurus Fund LLC 受托人），以及\nTaurus Management LLC（作为 Taurus Fund LLC 受托人），\n被告。\n\nx\n\n[拟定] 排期举行加急听证会的裁定\n\n本法院经审议请求就《第 11 章受托人请求作出准予受托人出售 Mahwah 庄园及其内部财物之裁定的动议，该出售须受进一步裁定之约束，包括关于聘请经纪人、该等出售条款以及各方对出售收益之权利主张的裁定》（以下简称\n\n1 本等第 11 章案件中的债务人为 Ho Wan Kwok（郭文贵，亦称郭文贵、Miles Guo、Miles Kwok 以及诸多其他化名）（纳税人识别号后四位：9595）、Genever Holdings LLC（纳税人识别号后四位：8202）以及 Genever Holdings Corporation。受托人及 Genever 债务人的邮寄地址为 Paul Hastings LLP, 200 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10166 转交 Ho Wan Kwok 破产财团受托人 Luc A. Despins（仅用于通知与联络目的）。\n\n“授权动议”）[对手方诉讼 ECF 编号：___]（以下简称“授权动议”）2 举行加急听证会的动议（以下简称“加急动议”），且合理事由成立，特此\n\n裁定如下：关于授权动议的听证会应于 2024 年 10 月 [__] 日 [__] 时在 United States Bankruptcy Court, District of Connecticut, Bridgeport Division, 915 Lafayette Boulevard, Room 123, Bridgeport, CT 06604 举行；并进一步\n\n裁定如下：对授权动议提出异议的截止时间应为 2024 年 10 月 [__] 日 [___] 时；并进一步\n\n裁定如下：本裁定副本连同加急动议及其任何附件，应送达至：(a) 对手方诉讼中的被告，(b) 债务人，(c) 无担保债权人官方委员会，(d) 美国受托人，以及 (e) 在第 11 章案件中出庭且有资格接收电子通知的所有当事方（统称“受通知方”），且受托人应在听证会前提交送达证明书。\n\n2 本加急动议中使用但未另行定义的首字母大写术语具有授权动议中所规定的含义。\n\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部）\n\n----------------------------------------------------------- x\n\n关于：\n第 11 章\n\nHo Wan Kwok 等，\n债务人。\n案件编号：22-50073 (JAM)\n（合并审理）\n\nLuc A. Despins，第 11 章受托人，\n原告，\n诉\n对手方诉讼编号：23-05017\n\nTaurus Fund LLC、\nScott Barnett（作为 Taurus Fund LLC 受托人），以及\nTaurus Management LLC（作为 Taurus Fund LLC 受托人），\n被告。\n\nx\n\n送达证明书\n\n签署人特此证明，于本文件出具之日，上述动议已通过电子方式提交至上述标题所示的第 11 章案件（以下简称“第 11 章案件”）及对手方诉讼（以下简称“对手方诉讼”）中。该提交通知已通过本法院\n\n1 本等第 11 章案件中的债务人为 Ho Wan Kwok（郭文贵，亦称郭文贵、Miles Guo、Miles Kwok 以及诸多其他化名）（纳税人识别号后四位：9595）、Genever Holdings LLC（纳税人识别号后四位：8202）以及 Genever Holdings Corporation。受托人及 Genever 债务人的邮寄地址为 Paul Hastings LLP, 200 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10166 转交 Ho Wan Kwok 破产财团受托人 Luc A. Despins（仅用于通知与联络目的）。\n\n电子案卷提交（“CM/ECF”）系统的运作，以电子邮件方式发送给第 11 章案件及对手方诉讼的所有当事方；或按照电子案卷提交通知的指示，以邮寄方式发送给无法接收电子案卷提交的任何人。各当事方可通过本法院的 CM/ECF 系统查阅本次提交的文件。\n\n日期：2024 年 10 月 1 日\n签署人：/s/ Patrick R. Linsey\n\n康涅狄格州纽黑文\nPatrick R. Linsey (ct29437)\nNeubert, Pepe & Monteith, P.C.\n195 Church Street, 13th Floor\nNew Haven, Connecticut 06510\n(203) 781-2847\nplinsey@npmlaw.com\n第 11 章受托人之代理律师","key_entities":["Kwok","Ho Wan Kwok","Despins","Guo","Je","Paul Hastings","Miles Guo"],"ecf_references":[],"word_count":1782,"status":"published","published_at":null,"created_at":null,"updated_at":"2026-08-23 13:15:04"}