{"id":"court_ctb_3757_0","court":"CTB","case_no":"22-50073","doc_number":3757,"sub_number":0,"doc_type":"ORDER","filed_date":null,"title":"UNITED STATES BANKRUPTCY COURT DISTRICT OF CONNECTICUT BRIDGEPORT DIVISION | -------------------------------------------","summary_zh":null,"summary_en":null,"body_en":"## **UNITED STATES BANKRUPTCY COURT DISTRICT OF CONNECTICUT BRIDGEPORT DIVISION**\n\n| ------------------------------------------------------- | x |\n|---------------------------------------------------------------------------|------------------------------------------------------|\n| In re: | :
:
Chapter 11 |\n| 1
HO WAN KWOK, et al., | :
:
Case No. 22-50073 (JAM) |\n| Debtors. | :
(Jointly Administered)
:
Re: ECF No. 3602 |\n| ------------------------------------------------------- | x
: |\n| LUC A. DESPINS, Chapter 11 Trustee, | :
Adv. Proceeding No. 23-05017
: |\n| Plaintiff, | :
Re: ECF No. 134 |\n| v. | :
: |\n| TAURUS FUND LLC,
SCOTT BARNETT, as trustee of TAURUS | :
:
: |\n| FUND LLC, and
TAURUS MANAGEMENT LLC, as trustee
of TAURUS FUND LLC, | :
:
: |\n| Defendants.
------------------------------------------------------- | :
:
x |\n\n## **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\nOn October 1, 2024, Luc A. Despins, in his capacity as the chapter 11 trustee (the\n\n\"Trustee\") appointed in the chapter 11 case of Ho Wan Kwok (the \"Debtor\") filed the motion\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(the \"Motion\") [Main Case ECF No. 3602; Adv. ECF No. 134],2 requesting entry of an order, pursuant to Rule 65 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure (the \"Civil Rules\"), as made applicable through Rule 7065 of the Federal Rules of Bankruptcy Procedure (the \"Bankruptcy Rules\"), and the PI Order entered in this Adversary Proceeding, authorizing the Trustee to sell (a) the real property located at 675 Ramapo Valley Road, Mahwah, New Jersey 07430 (the \"Mahwah Mansion\") and (b) all personalty and/or fixtures in, on, or at the Mahwah Mansion (the \"Contents\") for the benefit of the Estate, all as detailed in the Motion.\n\nHearings on the Motion were held on October 22, 2024, and October 29, 2024. During the hearings, Taurus Fund LLC, Scott Barnett, and Taurus Management LLC (the \"Defendants\") informed the Court they had reached a resolution of their objection [Adv. ECF No. 138] with the Trustee, except as to whether the Trustee should hold the net proceeds in a segregated Trustee account or an escrow account should be created. During the October 29th hearing, the Office of the United States Trustee stated that it agreed with the Trustee that the creation of an escrow account would be an unwarranted additional expense for the Estate and would create additional litigation.\n\nThe Court finding that (i) the Court has jurisdiction over this matter pursuant to 28 U.S.C. §§ 157 and 1334; (ii) this is a core proceeding pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 157(b); (iii) venue is proper pursuant to 28 U.S.C. §§ 1408 and 1409; and (iv) good and sufficient notice of the Motion having been given; and (v) that the relief requested by the Motion, as modified by the terms of this Order, including that the Trustee hold the net proceeds in a segregated Trustee account, is in the best interest of the Debtors' estates and creditors, it is hereby\n\n2 Capitalized terms not expressly defined herein adopt the definitions set forth in the Motion.\n\n## ORDERED THAT:\n\n1. The Motion is GRANTED as set forth herein.\n\n2. The Trustee is authorized to sell the Mahwah Mansion and the Contents subject to the terms of this Order.\n\n3. Any sale or sales of the Mahwah Mansion or the Contents shall be subject to further motions and orders of this Court (a) authorizing the retention of any real estate brokers and/or auctioneers to market and/or facilitate the sale of such assets, (b) authorizing the terms and conditions of such sales to one or more prospective buyers, and (c) determining the parties' entitlements to the net proceeds from such sales.\n\n4. The Trustee shall consult in good faith with the Defendants' authorized representative prior to making decisions regarding (a) the retention of real estate brokers and/or auctioneers, (b) setting the asking price for the Mahwah Mansion, (c) the selection of any buyer(s), (d) the methodology and process for selling the Contents, including whether some or all of the Contents should be sold with the Mahwah Mansion, and (e) the terms and conditions of any sale of the Mahwah Mansion or the Contents. All real estate brokers and/or auctioneers selected shall be from nationally recognized firms.\n\n5. The Trustee shall also consult in good faith with an authorized representative of Ohtzar Shlomo Solomon Treasure LLC (\"Solomon Treasure\") with regard to the methodology and process referenced in paragraph 4(d) above for the sale of the Contents. Solomon Treasure also reserves the right to object to any motion to sell the Contents.\n\n6. For the avoidance of doubt, Defendants may object to any of the motions identified in paragraph 3 above regardless of any consultation rights. For any motion to approve the sale of the Mahwah Mansion or any of the Contents which Defendants acquired at a cost of\n\n\\$50,000 or more per item, unless the parties otherwise agree, the hearing on such motion shall be evidentiary and shall occur on 30 days' notice. Within 30 days of entry of this Order, Defendants shall provide the Trustee a list of all Contents Defendants acquired at a cost \\$50,000 or more per item.\n\n7. Defendants shall be entitled to access the Mahwah Mansion upon notice to the Trustee for the purpose of exercising its rights hereunder, including to inspect the property and to facilitate any appraisal of the property that Defendants may seek to obtain.\n\n8. As reimbursement for the Estate having advanced the Mahwah Expenses (as defined in the Funding Order), the amount of such Expenses shall be deducted from the net proceeds of any sale or sale of the Mahwah Mansion and its Contents. The remaining net proceeds (after such deduction) shall be held in a segregated Trustee interest bearing account, with all parties' rights as to their entitlement to such proceeds preserved, until the Court enters a final order in the Adversary Proceeding regarding ownership of the sold property.\n\n9. For the avoidance of doubt, nothing in this Order shall relieve the Defendants of their obligations under the PI Order or the Disclosure Order, which remain in full force and effect, and nothing in this Order shall affect the parties' rights in the adversary proceeding.\n\n10. Nothing in this Order shall modify the terms of the Settlement Order, which remains in full force and effect.\n\n11. The Trustee is authorized and empowered to take all actions necessary to effectuate the relief granted in this Order.\n\n12. The terms and conditions of this Order shall be immediately effective and enforceable upon its entry.\n\n13. This Court retains exclusive jurisdiction with respect to all matters arising from or related to the implementation, interpretation, and enforcement of this Order.\n\nDated at Bridgeport, Connecticut this 29th day of October, 2024.","body_zh":"United States Bankruptcy Court District of Connecticut Bridgeport Division（美国康涅狄格区联邦破产法院布里奇波特分院）\n\n------------------------------------------------------- x\n\n关于：\n第 11 章\n\nHo Wan Kwok（郭文贵）等，\n案件编号：22-50073 (JAM)\n债务人。\n（合并审理）\n涉及：ECF 编号 3602\n------------------------------------------------------- x\n\nLuc A. Despins，第 11 章受托人，\n对抗性诉讼编号：23-05017\n\n原告，\n涉及：ECF 编号 134\n诉\n\nTaurus Fund LLC、\nScott Barnett，作为 Taurus Fund LLC 的受托人，以及\nTaurus Management LLC，作为 Taurus Fund LLC 的受托人，\n\n被告。\n\nx\n授权受托人出售马瓦豪宅及其屋内物品的裁定，须待进一步裁定的作出，包括关于经纪人的聘用、该等出售的条款以及各方对出售收益的权利归属\n\n2024年10月1日，Luc A. Despins 以其在 Ho Wan Kwok（郭文贵）（下称“债务人”）第 11 章案件中被任命的第 11 章受托人（下称“受托人”）身份提交了动议\n\n1 这些第 11 章案件中的债务人为 Ho Wan Kwok（亦称为 Guo Wengui、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）和 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 Luc A. Despins，以 Ho Wan Kwok 破产财产受托人身份（仅用于接收通知和通信之目的）。\n\n（下称“该动议”）[主案 ECF 编号 3602；对抗性诉讼 ECF 编号 134]，2 请求根据通过《Federal Rules of Bankruptcy Procedure（联邦破产诉讼规则）》（下称“《破产规则》”）第 7065 条适用的《Federal Rules of Civil Procedure（联邦民事诉讼规则）》（下称“《民事规则》”）第 65 条，以及在本对抗性诉讼中作出的初步禁令裁定（PI Order），作出裁定授权受托人为破产财产的利益出售 (a) 位于 675 Ramapo Valley Road, Mahwah, New Jersey 07430 的不动产（下称“马瓦豪宅”）以及 (b) 马瓦豪宅内部、其上或其处的所有动产及/或附着物（下称“屋内物品”），全部详见该动议。\n\n本法院于 2024年10月22日 及 2024年10月29日 就该动议举行了听证会。在听证会期间，Taurus Fund LLC、Scott Barnett 和 Taurus Management LLC（下称“被告”）告知法院，除受托人应将净收益保留在受托人独立账户还是应设立第三方托管账户之外，他们已就其异议 [对抗性诉讼 ECF 编号 138] 与受托人达成和解。在 10月29日 的听证会上，Office of the United States Trustee（美国联邦受托人办公室）表示，其同意受托人的意见，即设立第三方托管账户将对破产财产造成无根据的额外支出，并将引发额外的诉讼。\n\n法院认定：(i) 根据 28 U.S.C. §§ 157 及 1334，法院对本案具有管辖权；(ii) 根据 28 U.S.C. § 157(b)，本案属于核心程序；(iii) 根据 28 U.S.C. §§ 1408 及 1409，审判地恰当；(iv) 该动议已获得充分且适当的送达通知；以及 (v) 该动议所请求的救济（经本裁定条款修改，包括受托人将净收益保留在受托人独立账户中）符合债务人破产财产及债权人的最大利益，据此\n\n2 本文未明确定义的首字母大写术语采用该动议中所载的定义。\n特此裁定：\n\n1. 该动议按本文所载予以批准（GRANTED）。\n\n2. 受托人被授权依据本裁定的条款出售马瓦豪宅及屋内物品。\n\n3. 对马瓦豪宅或屋内物品的任何出售均须服从本法院的进一步动议和裁定，以 (a) 授权聘用任何房地产经纪人及/或拍卖行以推广及/或促进该等资产的出售，(b) 授权向一个或多个潜在买家进行该等出售的条款和条件，以及 (c) 确定各方对该等出售净收益的权利归属。\n\n4. 受托人在就以下事项作出决定前，应与被告的授权代表进行善意协商：(a) 聘用房地产经纪人及/或拍卖行，(b) 设定马瓦豪宅的要价，(c) 选择任何买家，(d) 出售屋内物品的方法和流程，包括是否应将部分或全部屋内物品与马瓦豪宅一同出售，以及 (e) 出售马瓦豪宅或屋内物品的任何条款和条件。所选定的所有房地产经纪人及/或拍卖行应来自全国知名的机构。\n\n5. 受托人亦应就上述第 4(d) 段所述出售屋内物品的方法和流程，与 Ohtzar Shlomo Solomon Treasure LLC（下称“Solomon Treasure”）的授权代表进行善意协商。Solomon Treasure 亦保留对出售屋内物品的任何动议提出异议的权利。\n\n6. 为免生疑问，不论是否享有任何协商权，被告均可对上述第 3 段所确定的任何动议提出异议。对于批准出售马瓦豪宅或被告以每件 $50,000 或以上成本购得的任何屋内物品的任何动议，除非各方另有约定，否则针对该动议的听证会应为证据听证会，并应在提前 30 天通知的情况下举行。在本裁定作出后 30 天内，被告应向受托人提供一份被告以每件 $50,000 或以上成本购得的所有屋内物品的清单。\n\n7. 被告有权在通知受托人后进入马瓦豪宅，以行使其在本裁定项下的权利，包括视察该物业并协助开展被告可能寻求获得的对该物业的任何评估。\n\n8. 作为对破产财产垫付马瓦费用（如《出资裁定》（Funding Order）中所定义）的补偿，该等费用的金额应从马瓦豪宅及其屋内物品的任何出售净收益中扣除。剩余的净收益（经上述扣除后）应存放在一个受托人独立的计息账户中，并保留所有各方对该等收益享有的权利，直至法院就所售财产的所有权归属在对抗性诉讼中作出最终裁定为止。\n\n9. 为免生疑问，本裁定中的任何内容均不得免除被告在初步禁令裁定（PI Order）或披露裁定（Disclosure Order）项下的义务，该等裁定仍然具有完全的法律效力，且本裁定中的任何内容均不得影响各方在对抗性诉讼中的权利。\n\n10. 本裁定中的任何内容均不得修改《和解裁定》（Settlement Order）的条款，该裁定仍然具有完全的法律效力。\n\n11. 受托人被授权并获赋权采取一切必要行动以落实本裁定所准予的救济。\n\n12. 本裁定的条款和条件一经作出，立即生效并具有可执行力。\n\n13. 本法院就因本裁定的执行、解释和强制执行而产生的或与之相关的所有事项保留专属管辖权。\n\n日期：2024年10月29日，于康涅狄格州布里奇波特。","key_entities":["Je","Kwok","Ho Wan Kwok","Despins","Guo","Miles Guo","Paul Hastings"],"ecf_references":[{"doc_number":134,"court":"CTB"},{"doc_number":138,"court":"CTB"},{"doc_number":3602,"court":"CTB"}],"word_count":1209,"status":"published","published_at":null,"created_at":null,"updated_at":"2026-08-23 12:49:07"}