{"id":"court_ctb_432_0","court":"CTB","case_no":"22-50073","doc_number":432,"sub_number":0,"doc_type":"MOTION","filed_date":"2022-05-24","title":"UNITED STATES BANKRUPTCY COURT DISTRICT OF CONNECTICUT BRIDGEPORT DIVISION In re:","summary_zh":null,"summary_en":null,"body_en":"## **UNITED STATES BANKRUPTCY COURT DISTRICT OF CONNECTICUT BRIDGEPORT DIVISION**\n\nIn re:\n\nHO WAN KWOK,\n\nChapter 11 Case No.\n\nCase No. 22-50073 (JAM)\n\nDebtor.\n\nMay 24, 2022\n\n# **AMENDED NOTICE OF STATUS OF CIVIL ACTION REMOVED FROM SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, NEW YORK COUNTY PURSUANT TO 28 USC § 1452(A) AND RULE 9027 OF THE FEDERAL RULES OF BANKRUPTCY PROCEDURE AND REQUEST FOR STATUS CONFERENCE**\n\nPacific Alliance Asia Opportunity Fund L.P. (\"PAX\"), by and through its undersigned counsel, provides notice of the status of that certain civil action captioned *Pacific Alliance Asia Opportunity Fund, L.P. vs. Kwok Ho Wan, et al.* and bearing Index Number 652077/2017 (the \"Removed Action\"),<sup>1</sup> removed from State of New York Supreme Court, County of New York: Commercial Division (Justice Ostrager presiding) (the \"New York Court\") and pending in the United States District Court for the District of Connecticut (the \"Connecticut District Court\").<sup>2</sup> PAX respectfully requests that the Court schedule a status conference in the main case related to the Removed Action pursuant to sections 105(d) of title 11 of the United States Code (the \"Bankruptcy Code\") seven (7) days after the Court's Adjudication on PAX's Motion to Dismiss (as hereinafter defined) or as soon thereafter as is convenient for the Court. In support of its notice and request for status conference, PAX respectfully states as follows:\n\n<sup>1</sup> *See* Ex. A, Complaint, *PAX v. Kwok*, Index No. 652077/2017 (N.Y. Sup.).\n\n<sup>2</sup> This amended notice is filed to include with Ex. 2 (the Remand Motion, as defined herein) the *Declaration of Peter Friedman in Support of the Remand Motion* (\"Friedman Declaration\"), docket 14 before the New York Bankruptcy Court. The Remand Motion supersedes an earlier filing of that same motion at docket 13 before the New York Bankruptcy Court.\n\n#### **STATUS OF REMOVED ACTION**\n\n1. On April 18, 2017, PAX commenced the Removed Action by suing Ho Wan Kwok (the \"Debtor\") for breach of a personal guarantee contract in the New York Court. Following nearly four years of litigation, on February 3, 2021, PAX secured a judgment against the Debtor for \\$116,402,019.57 in the Removed Action. PAX then undertook a years-long effort to enforce the judgment by first identifying and then attempting to levy upon the Debtor's assets in the United States. The Debtor has yet to repay any of the \\$116,402,019.57 judgment, which accrued postjudgment interest at the rate of 9 percent per year.\n\n2. On February 15, 2022, the Debtor filed his voluntary petition under chapter 11 of the Bankruptcy Code. [Dkt No. 1].\n\n3. On March 18, 2022, the Debtor removed the Removed Action from the New York Court to the United States District Court, Southern District of New York, which referred the Removed Action to the United States Bankruptcy Court, Southern District of New York (the \"New York Bankruptcy Court\").\n\n4. On March 23, 2022, the Debtor filed its *Motion to Transfer Case* in the New York Bankruptcy Court, wherein it sought to transfer the Removed Action from the New York Bankruptcy Court to the Connecticut District Court for referral to this Court pursuant to sections 151 and 157(a) of title 28 of the United States Code and the Connecticut District Court's Standing Order, dated September 21, 1984 (the \"Standing Referral Order\").<sup>3</sup>\n\n5. On April 5, 2022, PAX filed a proposed *Stipulation Resolving Motion to Transfer Venue* (the \"Conditional Transfer Stipulation\") with the New York Bankruptcy Court. In the\n\n<sup>3</sup> A copy of the Standing Order can be found at [http](http)[ordes/1984\\\\_Standing\\\\_Order.pdf.](http)\n\nConditional Transfer Stipulation, PAX consented to the transfer of the Removed Action to this Court; but expressly preserved and did not waive its right to have this Court consider the remand of the Removed Action or, in the alternative, abstain from hearing the Removed Action.\n\n6. On April 14, 2022, PAX filed its *Motion to Remand Or, In the Alternative, For Abstention Pursuant to Section 1334(c)(1) of Title 28 of the United States Code* in the New York Bankruptcy Court (the \"Remand Motion\").<sup>4</sup>\n\n7. On April 15, 2022, and before the New York Bankruptcy Court adjudicated the Remand Motion, it *So Ordered* the Conditional Transfer Stipulation.\n\n8. On April 15, 2022, the Removed Action was docketed in the Connecticut District Court, bearing Civil Case Number 3:22-cv-00553-VAB.<sup>5</sup>\n\n9. On April 21, 2022, PAX filed its *Amended Motion to Refer Case to United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Connecticut and Incorporated Memorandum of Law in Support* (the \"Referral Motion\").<sup>6</sup> The Debtor consented to the relief contained in the Referral Motion.\n\n10. On May 24, 2022, PAX filed its *Certificate of No Objection Regarding Pacific Alliance Asia Opportunity Fund L.P.'s Motion to Refer Case to United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Connecticut and Incorporated Memorandum of Law in Support*.\n\n11. As of the filing of this status update, the Referral Motion and Remand Motion remain pending.\n\n<sup>4</sup> *See* Ex. B, Remand Motion.\n\n<sup>5</sup> *See* Ex. C, Connecticut District Court Docket Sheet.\n\n<sup>6</sup> *See* Ex. D, Referral Motion.\n\n12. PAX respectfully requests entry of the Order setting a status conference regarding the Removed Action seven (7) days after the Court adjudicates the *Motion for Order Directing Appointment of an Examiner, or in the Alternative, Motion for Order Directing the Appointment of a Chapter 11 Trustee* (the \"Motion to Dismiss\") [Dkt. No. 102], or at the convenience of the Court after it adjudicates the Motion to Dismiss.\n\n13. In pertinent part, section 105(d)(1) of the Bankruptcy Code provides that the Court, \"on its own motion or on the request of a party in interest—(1) shall hold such status conferences as are necessary to further the expeditious and economical resolution of the case; and (2) unless inconsistent with another provision of this title or with applicable Federal Rules of Bankruptcy Procedure, may issue an order at any such conference prescribing such limitations and conditions as the court deems appropriate to ensure that the case is handled expeditiously and economically.\" 11 U.S.C. § 105(d)(1).\n\n14. Setting a status conference in the main case on the Removed Action will promote judicial economy by providing an opportunity for the parties to discuss the Removed Action as informed by the adjudication of the Motion to Dismiss.\n\n15. WHEREFORE, PAX respectfully requests that the Court (i) schedule a status conference in the main case related to the Removed Action seven (7) days after the Court adjudicates the Motion to Dismiss, or at the convenience of the Court after it adjudicates the Motion to Dismiss; and (ii) grant such other and further relief the Court deems just and proper.\n\n### *[Signature on following page]*\n\nDated: May 24, 2022 Hartford, Connecticut Pacific Alliance Asia Opportunity Fund L.P\n\n*By*: */s/ Patrick M. Birney*  Patrick M. Birney (CT No. 19875) Annecca H. Smith (CT No. 31148) **ROBINSON & COLE LLP**  280 Trumbull Street Hartford, CT 06103 Telephone: (860) 275-8275 Facsimile: (860) 275-8299 E-mail: pbirney@rc.com asmith@rc.com\n\n-and-\n\nPeter Friedman (admitted *pro hac vice*) Stuart M. Sarnoff (admitted *pro hac vice*) **O'MELVENY & MYERS LLP**  7 Times Square New York, NY 10036 Telephone: (212) 326-2000 Facsimile: (212) 326-2061 Email: pfriedman@omm.com ssarnoff@omm.com\n\n#### **CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE**\n\nI hereby certify that on May 24, 2022, a copy of the foregoing was filed electronically through the Court's CM/ECF System. Notice of this filing will be sent by e-mail to all parties receiving notice by operation of the court's electronic filing system. Parties in interest may access this filing through the Court's CM/ECF System.\n\n /s/ *Patrick M. Birney*  Patrick M. Birney\n\n## **EXHIBIT A**\n\nComplaint, *PAX v. Kwok*\n\nCase 22-50073 Doc 432 Filed 05/24/22 Entered 05/24/22 23:04:58 Page 8 of 10\n\n## **EXHIBIT B**\n\nRemand Motion\n\n# **EXHIBIT C**\n\nConnecticut District Court Docket Sheet\n\nCase 22-50073 Doc 432 Filed 05/24/22 Entered 05/24/22 23:04:58 Page 10 of 10\n\n# **EXHIBIT D**\n\nReferral Motion","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关于：\n\nHo Wan Kwok（郭文贵），\n\n第 11 章案件编号\n\n案号 22-50073 (JAM)\n\n债务人。\n\n2022年5月24日\n依据《美国法典》第 28 编第 1452(a) 条及《联邦破产诉讼程序规则》第 9027 条自纽约州纽约县最高法院移送之民事诉讼状态修正通告及召开诉讼状态会议之请求\n\nPacific Alliance Asia Opportunity Fund L.P.（太盟亚洲机会基金有限公司，简称“PAX”）通过其下述署名律师，就标题为 Pacific Alliance Asia Opportunity Fund, L.P. vs. Kwok Ho Wan, et al.、索引号为 652077/2017 的特定民事诉讼（简称“被移送诉讼”）1的状态发出通告。该案自 State of New York Supreme Court, County of New York: Commercial Division（纽约州最高法院纽约县：商事法庭，由 Ostrager 法官主持）（简称“纽约法院”）移送，目前悬于 United States District Court for the District of Connecticut（美国康涅狄格区联邦地区法院，简称“康涅狄格联邦地区法院”）2。PAX 谨请求法院依据《美国法典》第 11 编（简称《破产法典》）第 105(d) 条，在法院对 PAX 的驳回动议（定义见下文）作出裁决后七（7）天内，或在法院方便的其后尽快，在主案中就与被移送诉讼相关事宜安排一次诉讼状态会议。为支持其通告及召开诉讼状态会议之请求，PAX 谨陈述如下：\n\n1 见证物 A，起诉书，PAX 诉郭案，索引号 652077/2017（纽约州最高法院）。\n\n2 提交本修正通告旨在将 Peter Friedman 支持发回动议之声明（简称“Friedman 声明”，纽约破产法院卷宗 14）纳入证物 2（发回动议，定义见本文）。本发回动议取代此前在纽约破产法院卷宗 13 提交的同一动议。\n被移送诉讼之状态\n\n1. 2017年4月18日，PAX 通过在纽约法院起诉 Ho Wan Kwok（债务人）违反个人担保合同，提起了被移送诉讼。经过近四年的诉讼，2021年2月3日，PAX 在被移送诉讼中获得了针对债务人金额为 $116,402,019.57 的判决书。随后，PAX 开展了历时数年的判决执行工作，首先确定并随后试图扣押债务人在美国的资产。债务人迄今尚未偿还该 $116,402,019.57 判决款项中的任何部分，该款项按每年 9% 的利率计收判决后利息。\n\n2. 2022年2月15日，债务人依据《破产法典》第 11 章提交了自愿申请书。[卷宗号 1]。\n\n3. 2022年3月18日，债务人将该被移送诉讼从纽约法院移送至 United States District Court, Southern District of New York（美国纽约南区联邦地区法院），后者将被移送诉讼移交至 United States Bankruptcy Court, Southern District of New York（美国纽约南区联邦破产法院，简称“纽约破产法院”）。\n\n4. 2022年3月23日，债务人在纽约破产法院提交了移转案件动议，依据《美国法典》第 28 编第 151 条及第 157(a) 条以及康涅狄格联邦地区法院日期为1984年9月21日的常设命令（简称“常设移交命令”），请求将被移送诉讼从纽约破产法院移转至康涅狄格联邦地区法院，以便移交至本法院。3\n\n5. 2022年4月5日，PAX 向纽约破产法院提交了一份拟议的《解决管辖地移转动议的约定事项》（简称“附条件移转约定事项”）。在\n\n3 常设命令的副本可在 [http][ordes/1984_Standing_Order.pdf.] 查阅。\n\n附条件移转约定事项中，PAX 同意将被移送诉讼移转至本法院；但明确保留且未放弃其请求本法院考虑将被移送诉讼发回，或在备选情况下放弃审理被移送诉讼的权利。\n\n6. 2022年4月14日，PAX 向纽约破产法院提交了其《依据〈美国法典〉第 28 编第 1334(c)(1) 条发回诉讼或在备选情况下放弃审理的动议》（简称“发回动议”）。4\n\n7. 2022年4月15日，在纽约破产法院对发回动议作出裁决之前，该院批准并签发了附条件移转约定事项。\n\n8. 2022年4月15日，被移送诉讼在康涅狄格联邦地区法院登记入卷，民事案号为 3:22-cv-00553-VAB。5\n\n9. 2022年4月21日，PAX 提交了其《将案件移交至美国康涅狄格区联邦破产法院之修正动议及附随支持法律备忘录》（简称“移交动议”）。6 债务人同意移交动议中所包含的救济请求。\n\n10. 2022年5月24日，PAX 提交了其《关于 Pacific Alliance Asia Opportunity Fund L.P. 将案件移交至美国康涅狄格区联邦破产法院之动议及附随支持法律备忘录的无异议证明书》。\n\n11. 截至本状态更新提交之日，移交动议和发回动议仍处于未决状态。\n\n4 见证物 B，发回动议。\n\n5 见证物 C，康涅狄格联邦地区法院案件卷宗表。\n\n6 见证物 D，移交动议。\n\n12. PAX 谨请求在法院对《关于指派调查员之命令的动议，或在备选情况下关于指派第 11 章托管人之命令的动议》（简称“驳回动议”）[卷宗号 102] 作出裁决后七（7）天内，或在法院裁决驳回动议后方便之时，作出确定被移送诉讼之诉讼状态会议的裁定。\n\n13. 《破产法典》第 105(d)(1) 条相关部分规定，法院“根据自身动议或应利害关系方的请求——(1) 应当举行推进案件迅速且经济解决所必需的诉讼状态会议；并且 (2) 除非与本编的另一规定或适用的《联邦破产诉讼程序规则》不一致，可在任何此类会议上发出裁定，规定法院认为适当的限制和条件，以确保案件得到迅速且经济的处理。”11 U.S.C. § 105(d)(1)。\n\n14. 在主案中就被移送诉讼安排诉讼状态会议，将使各方有机会在知悉驳回动议裁决结果的情况下讨论被移送诉讼，从而促进司法节约。\n\n15. 据此，PAX 谨请求法院：(i) 在法院裁决驳回动议后七（7）天内，或在法院裁决驳回动议后方便之时，在主案中安排一次与被移送诉讼相关的诉讼状态会议；以及 (ii) 给予法院认为公正和适当的其他及进一步救济。\n[签名见下页]\n\n日期：2022年5月24日 康涅狄格州哈特福德 Pacific Alliance Asia Opportunity Fund L.P\n\n签署人：/s/ Patrick M. Birney Patrick M. Birney（康涅狄格州执业编号 19875）Annecca H. Smith（康涅狄格州执业编号 31148）ROBINSON & COLE LLP 280 Trumbull Street Hartford, CT 06103 电话：(860) 275-8275 传真：(860) 275-8299 电子邮件：pbirney@rc.com asmith@rc.com\n\n—以及—\n\nPeter Friedman（特许出庭律师）Stuart M. Sarnoff（特许出庭律师）O'MELVENY & MYERS LLP 7 Times Square New York, NY 10036 电话：(212) 326-2000 传真：(212) 326-2061 电子邮件：pfriedman@omm.com ssarnoff@omm.com\n送达证明书\n\n本人特此证明，于2022年5月24日，前述文书的一份副本已通过法院的 CM/ECF 系统进行电子提交。本提交之通知将通过电子邮件发送给通过法院电子提交系统运行接收通知的所有当事方。利害关系方可通过法院的 CM/ECF 系统查阅本文件。\n\n/s/ Patrick M. Birney Patrick M. Birney\n证物 A\n\n起诉书，PAX 诉郭案\n\n案号 22-50073 文件 432 提交于 05/24/22 录入于 05/24/22 23:04:58 第 8 页（共 10 页）\n证物 B\n\n发回动议\n证物 C\n\n康涅狄格联邦地区法院案件卷宗表\n\n案号 22-50073 文件 432 提交于 05/24/22 录入于 05/24/22 23:04:58 第 10 页（共 10 页）\n证物 D\n\n移交动议","key_entities":["Kwok","Ho Wan Kwok","Je"],"ecf_references":[{"doc_number":1,"court":"CTB"},{"doc_number":102,"court":"CTB"}],"word_count":1297,"status":"published","published_at":"2022-05-24 00:00:00","created_at":"2022-05-24","updated_at":"2026-08-23 12:48:52"}