Guo Wengui / Miles Guo — criminal case · ECF #4199

METADATA

Defendant: Guo Wengui / Miles Guo / Ho Wan Kwok
Court: SDNY
Case No.: 1:23-cr-00118
ECF #: 4199
Type: DOC

FULL TEXT

# **UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE DISTRICT OF CONNECTICUT**

: : : : : : : :

In re:

HO WAN KWOK, *et al.*,

Debtors[1](#page-0-0)

Chapter 11 Case No. 22-50073 (JAM) (Jointly Administered)

March 6, 2025

# **APPELLANT'S STATEMENT OF ISSUES AND DESIGNATION OF ITEMS TO BE INCLUDED IN THE RECORD ON APPEAL**

Appellant G Club Operations LLC ("G Club Operations"), by and through its undersigned counsel, hereby provides, pursuant to Rule 8009 of the Federal Rules of Bankruptcy Procedure (the "Bankruptcy Rules"), this statement of issues to be presented and designation of items to be included in the record on appeal with respect to this appeal to the United States District Court for the District of Connecticut from the Bankruptcy Court's February 14, 2025 *Order Granting In Part Third Motion For Extension of Deadline for Trustee to File Avoidance Actions* (ECF No. 4106, the "Ruling"), granting the Trustee, Luc A. Despins, Chapter 11 Trustee's (the "Trustee") *Second Supplemental Motion of Chapter 11 Trustee To Extend February 15, 2025 Deadline For Trustee To File Avoidance Actions* (ECF No. 4004, the "Third Extension Motion").

## **STATEMENT OF ISSUES ON APPEAL**

1. Did the Bankruptcy Court have constitutional authority to enter a final judgment and order concerning the Third Extension Motion?

1 The Debtors in these chapter 11 cases are Ho Wan Kwok (last four digits of tax identification number: 9595) (the "Debtor"), 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 (solely for purposes of notices and communications).

2. Did the Bankruptcy Court have statutory authority to prospectively modify the statute of limitations set forth in Bankruptcy Code §§ 546(a) and 549(d) under Rule 9006 of the Federal Rules of Bankruptcy Procedure?

3. Assuming *arguendo* that the Bankruptcy Court had statutory authority to prospectively modify the statute of limitations set forth in Bankruptcy Code § 546(a) and 549(d) under Rule 9006 of the Federal Rules of Bankruptcy Procedure, did the Trustee demonstrate "good cause" to do so?

## **DESIGNATION OF RECORD AND TRANSCRIPT ON APPEAL**

G Club Operations hereby designates the following items to be included in the record on appeal, which includes any and all exhibits, documents, supplements, and addenda attached thereto and filed therewith and all documents incorporated by reference therein:

| Item No. | Docket Entry Date | Docket Entry/Description | Docket Number | |-------------|----------------------|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|------------------------------------| | | | Actions – Mei Gui | | | 5 | 2/5/2024 | Objection (Non-Party Defeng Caos Memorandum of Law in Opposition to Motion for Entry of Order Extending Deadline For Trustee To File Avoidance Actions) - Defeng Cao | 2553 Filed in Case No. 22-50073 | | 6 | 2/5/2024 | Objection TO THE CHAPTER 11 TRUSTEES MOTION FOR ENTRY OF AN ORDER EXTENDING DEADLINE FOR TRUSTEE TO FILE AVOIDANCE ACTIONS UNDER BANKRUPTCY CODE SECTIONS 108, 546(a), AND 549 - Taurus Fund LLC | 2557 Filed in Case No. 22-50073 | | 7 | 2/5/2024 | Objection and Memorandum of Law in Opposition Filed - G Club | 2563 Filed in Case No. 22-50073 | | 8 | 2/5/2024 | Objection of Non-Parties Rule of Law Foundation III, Inc. and Rule of law Society IV, Inc. to Motion for Entry of Order Extending Deadline for Trustee to File Avoidance Actions under Bankruptcy Code Sections 108,546(a), and 549 - Rule of Law Society IV, Inc. | 2565 Filed in Case No. 22-50073 | | 9 | 2/5/2024 | Objection - Objections of Third Parties Crhis [sic] Lee and Quidong Xia to Trustee's Motion for Entry of Order Extending Deadline for Trustee to File Avoidance Actions Under Bankruptcy Code Sections 108, 546(a), and 549 | 2566 Filed in Case No. 22-50073 | | 10 | 2/5/2024 | Objection to Trustee's Motion for Entry of an Order Extending Deadline for Trustee to File Avoidance Actions - Greenwich Land, LLC, Hing Chi | 2569 Filed in Case No. 22-50073 |

| Item | Docket | Docket Entry/Description | Docket Number | |------|------------|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|------------------------------------| | No. | Entry Date | | | | 11 | 2/5/2024 | Objection Filed by Robert J. Grand on behalf of GS Security Solutions, Inc. | 2571 Filed in Case No. 22-50073 | | 12 | 2/7/2024 | Objection and Joinder to Trustee's Motion to Extend Deadline to File Avoidance Actions - Yinying Wang Interested Party | 2582 Filed in Case No. 22-50073 | | 13 | 2/9/2024 | Reply to (related document(s): 2509 Motion for Order / Motion for Entry of Order Extending Deadline for Trustee to File Avoidance Actions Under Bankruptcy Code Sections 108, 546(a), and 549 Filed by Douglass E. Barron on behalf of Luc A. Despins, Chapter 11 Trustee filed by Chapter 11 Trustee Luc A. Despins)/ Omnibus Reply of Chapter 11 Trustee (I) in Support of Motion for Entry of Order Extending Deadline for Trustee to File Avoidance Actions Under Bankruptcy Code Sections 108, 546(a), and 549, and (II) in Response to Objections Thereto – Trustee | 2620 Filed in Case No. 22-50073 | | 14 | 2/12/2024 | Trustee's Witness and Exhibit Lists in Connection with February 13, 2024 Hearing on Trustee's Motion for Entry of Order Extending Deadline for Trustee to File Avoidance Actions Under Bankruptcy Code Sections 108, 546(a), and 549 | 2763 Filed in Case No. 22-50073 | | 15 | 2/13/2024 | Hearing on Extension Motion and All Exhibits Proffered by any Party | 2827 Filed in Case No. 22-50073 | | 16 | 2/15/2024 | Memorandum of Decision | 2921 Filed in Case No. 22-50073 | | 17 | | Transcript – Hearing on Extension Motion | N/A | | 18 | 2/28/2024 | G Club Notice of Appeal | 2969 |

| Item No. | Docket Entry Date | Docket Entry/Description | Docket Number | |-------------|----------------------|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-------------------------------------| | | | to File Avoidance actions filed by George Peter Angelich on behalf of Apple Inc. Interested Party | | | 25 | 8/7/2024 | Notice of Filing Objections to First Supplemental Motion of Chapter 11 Trustee to Extend August 15, 2024 Deadline for Trustee to File Avoidance Actions in Pending Adversary Proceedings filed by Jeffrey M. Sklarz on behalf of Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP, Weddle Law PLLC | 3379 Filed in Case No. 22-50073 | | 26 | 8/9/2024 | Omnibus Reply of Chapter 11 Trustee (I) In Support of First Supplemental Motion of Chapter 11 Trustee to Extend August 15, 2024 Deadline for Trustee to File Avoidance Actions and (II) in Response to Objections Thereto | 3391 Filed in Case No. 22-50073 | | 27 | 8/13/2024 | Trustee's Witness and Exhibit Lists in Connection with August 13, 2024 Hearing on Trustee's First Supplemental Motion to Extend August 15, 2024 Deadline for Trustee to File Avoidance Actions Filed by Patrick R. Linsey on behalf of Luc A. Despins, Chapter 11 Trustee | 3395 Filed in Case No. 22-50073 | | 28 | 8/14/2024 | Order Granting Second Motion for Extension of Deadline for Trustee to File Avoidance Actions | 3417 Filed in Case No. 22-50073 | | 29 | | Transcript of Hearing Held 8/13/2024 on Motion to Extend Time to Extend Deadline to File Avoidance Actions (First Supplemental Motion) to | N/A Ordered in Case No. 22-50073 |

| Item No. | Docket Entry Date | Docket Entry/Description | Docket Number | |-------------|----------------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | | | 02/15/2025 Filed by Patrick R. Linsey on behalf of Luc A. Despins, Chapter 11 Trustee | | | 30 | 8/27/2024 | Notice of Appeal to District Court filed by Kellianne Baranowsky on behalf of G Club Operations LLC | 3458 Filed in Case No. 22-50073 | | 31 | 8/28/2024 | Transmittal of Notice to U.S. District Court for the District of Connecticut Regarding Appeals and Appellate Documents | 3469 Filed in Case No. 22-50073 | | 32 | 7/22/2024 | Notice of Filing Motion of Chapter 11 Trustee to Extend August 15, 2024 Deadline For Trustee to File Avoidance Actions Filed by Patrick R. Linsey on behalf of Luc A. Despins, Chapter 11 Trustee | 22 Filed in Adv. Pro. No. 24-05014 (Luc A. Despins, Chapter 11 Trustee v. Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP) | | 33 | 8/6/2024 | Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP's Objection and Memorandum of Law in Opposition to First Supplemental Motion of Chapter 11 Trustee to Extend August 15, 2024 Deadline for Trustee to File Avoidance Actions | 24 Filed in Adv. Pro. No. 24-05014 (Luc A. Despins, Chapter 11 Trustee v. Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP) | | 34 | 7/22/2024 | Notice of Filing Motion of Chapter 11 Trustee to Extend August 15, 2024 Deadline For Trustee to File Avoidance Actions Filed by Patrick R. Linsey on behalf of Luc A. Despins, Chapter 11 Trustee | 10 Filed in Adv. Pro. No. 24-05056 ( Luc A. Despins, Chapter 11 Trustee v. FFP (BVI) Limited) | | 35 | 8/6/2024 | FFP (BVI) Limited's Objection and Memorandum of Law in Opposition to First Supplemental Motion of Chapter 11 Trustee to Extend August 15, 2024 Deadline for Trustee to File Avoidance Actions | 16 Filed in Adv. Pro. No. 24-05056 ( Luc A. Despins, Chapter 11 Trustee v. FFP (BVI) Limited) |

| Item No. | Docket Entry Date | Docket Entry/Description | Docket Number | |-------------|----------------------|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 36 | 7/22/2024 | Notice of Filing Motion of Chapter 11 Trustee to Extend August 15, 2024 Deadline For Trustee to File Avoidance Actions Filed by Patrick R. Linsey on behalf of Luc A. Despins, Chapter 11 Trustee | 10 Filed in Adv. Pro. No. 24-05012 ( Luc A. Despins, Chapter 11 Trustee v. Ogier) | | 37 | 8/6/2024 | Ogier's Objection and Memorandum of Law in Opposition to First Supplemental Motion of Chapter 11 Trustee to Extend August 15, 2024 Deadline for Trustee to File Avoidance Actions | 18 Filed in Adv. Pro. No. 24-05012 ( Luc A. Despins, Chapter 11 Trustee v. Ogier ) | | 38 | 7/22/2024 | Notice of Filing Motion of Chapter 11 Trustee to Extend August 15, 2024 Deadline For Trustee to File Avoidance Actions Filed by Patrick R. Linsey on behalf of Luc A. Despins, Chapter 11 Trustee | 25 Filed in Adv. Pro. No. 24-05188 ( Luc A. Despins, Chapter 11 Trustee v. Weddle Law PPLC) | | 39 | 8/6/2024 | Weddle Law PLLC's Objection and Memorandum of Law in Opposition to First Supplemental Motion of Chapter 11 Trustee to Extend August 15, 2024 Deadline for Trustee to File Avoidance Actions | 29 Filed in Adv. Pro. No. 24-05188 (Luc A. Despins, Chapter 11 Trustee v. Weddle Law PPLC) | | 40 | 1/24/2025 | Motion to Extend Time to Assert Claims Subject to Time Limitations Under Sections 108, 546, and 549 of Bankruptcy Code to 8/15/2025 (Second Supplemental Motion) Filed by Patrick R. Linsey on behalf of Luc A. Despins, Chapter 11 Trustee | 4004 Filed in Case No. 22-50073 | | 41 | 1/27/2025 | Notice of Hearing Issued Re: Second Supplemental Motion | 4009 Filed in Case No. 22-50073 | | 42 | 2/7/2025 | Objection and Memorandum of Law in Opposition to Second Supplemental Motion of Chapter 11 | 4034 Filed in Case No. 22-50073 |

| Item | Docket | Docket Entry/Description | Docket Number | |------|------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|------------------------------------| | No. | Entry Date | | | | | | Trustee to Extend February 15. 2025 Deadline for Trustee to File Avoidance Actions Filed by Jeffrey M. Sklarz on behalf of G Club | | | | | Operations, LLC Interested Party | | | 43 | 2/7/2025 | Objection American Express Company's Objection to Second Supplemental Motion of Chapter 11 Trustee to Extend February 15, 2025 Deadline For Trustee To File Avoidance Actions Filed by Ronald Ian Chorches on behalf of American | 4035 Filed in Case No. 22-50073 | | 44 | 2/7/2025 | Express Company, Inc. Creditor Objection - NOTICE OF JOINDER IN OBJECTIONS TO MOTION TO EXTEND THE FEBRUARY 15, 2025, DEADLINE FOR TRUSTEE TO FILE AVOIDANCE ACTIONS Filed by Michael T. Conway on behalf of Himalaya International Financial Group Limited, Himalaya International Clearing Ltd., Himalaya Currency Clearing Pty Ltd, Hamilton Digital Assets Fund SP, Hamilton PE Fund SP, Hamilton Opportunity Fund SPC, Gettr USA, Inc., ACA Capital Group Ltd., Taurus Fund LLC | 4039 Filed in Case No. 22-50073 | | 45 | 2/7/2025 | Notice of Filing of Apple Inc. Objection to Second Supplemental Motion of Chapter 11 Trustee to Extend February 15, 2025 Deadline for Trustee to File Avoidance Actions Filed by George Peter Angelich on behalf of Apple Inc. Interested Party | 4040 Filed in Case No. 22-50073 | | 46 | 2/7/2025 | Objection Notice of Joinder in Objections to Trustee's Motion to Extend February 15, 2025 Deadline for Trustee to File Avoidance Actions Filed by Brian T. Peterson on behalf of Amazon Web Services, Inc., Amazon.com, Inc. | 4041 Filed in Case No. 22-50073 | | 47 | 2/7/2025 | Notice of Filing of Meta Platforms Inc. Objection to Second Supplemental Motion of Chapter 11 Trustee to Extend February 15, 2025 Deadline for Trustee to File Avoidance Actions Filed by George Peter Angelich on behalf of Meta Platforms, Inc. Interested Party | 4042 Filed in Case No. 22-50073 |

| Item | Docket | Docket Entry/Description | Docket Number | |------|------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------| | No. | Entry Date | | | | 48 | 2/7/2025 | Objection to 2nd Supp. Mtn. to Extend Deadline to File Avoidance Actions Filed by Eric Seltzer on behalf of Miller Motorcars Inc. Interested Party | 4044 Filed in Case No. 22-50073 | | 49 | 2/10/2025 | Trustee's Witness and Exhibit Lists in Connection with February 11, 2025 Hearing on Trustee's Second Supplemental Motion to Extend February 15, 2025 Deadline for Trustee to File Avoidance Actions | 4046 Filed in Case No. 22-50073 | | 50 | | Transcript of Hearing Held 2/11/2025 on Second Supplemental Motion to Extend Time to Assert Claims Subject to Time Limitations Under Sections 108, 546, and 549 of Bankruptcy Code | N/A Ordered in Case No. 22-50073 | | 51 | 2/14/2025 | Order Granting In Part Third Motion for Extension of Deadline for Trustee to File Avoidance Actions | 4106 Filed in Case No. 22-50073 | | 52 | 2/20/2025 | Notice of Appeal to District Court filed by Michelle Antao on behalf of G Club Operations LLC | 4127 Filed in Case No. 22-50073 | | 53 | 2/20/2025 | Transmittal of Notice to U.S. District Court for the District of Connecticut Regarding Appeals and Appellate Documents | 4132 Filed in Case No. 22-50073 | | 54 | 2/21/2025 | Notice and Acknowledgement of Docketing Notice of Appeal to District Court | 4132 Filed in Case No. 22-50073 | | 55 | 1/29/2025 | Notice of Filing Motion to Extend Deadline to File Avoidance Actions and Notice of Hearing Filed by Patrick R. Linsey on behalf of Luc A. Despins Plaintiff | 33 Filed in Adv. Pro. No. 24-05056 (Despins v. FFP (BVI) Limited) | | 56 | 2/7/2025 | FFP (BVI) Limited's Objection and Memorandum of Law in Opposition to Second Supplemental Motion of Trustee to Extend February 15, 2025 Deadline for Trustee to File Avoidance Actions | 36 Filed in Adv. Pro. No. 24-05056 (Despins v. FFP (BVI) Limited) |

| Item | Docket | Docket Entry/Description | Docket Number | |------|------------|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------| | No. | Entry Date | | | | 57 | 1/29/2025 | Notice of Filing Motion to Extend Deadline to File Avoidance Actions and Notice of Hearing Filed by Patrick R. Linsey on behalf of Luc A. Despins Plaintiff | 22 Filed in Adv. Pro. No. 24-05012 (Despins v. Ogier) | | 58 | 2/7/2025 | Ogier's Objection and Memorandum of Law in Opposition to Second Supplemental Motion of Trustee to Extend February 15, 2025 Deadline for Trustee to File Avoidance Actions | 23 Filed in Adv. Pro. No. 24-05012 (Despins v. Ogier) | | 59 | 1/29/2025 | Notice of Filing Motion to Extend Deadline to File Avoidance Actions and Notice of Hearing Filed by Patrick R. Linsey on behalf of Luc A. Despins Plaintiff | 51 Filed in Adv. Pro. No. 24-05188 (Despins v. Weddle Law PLLC) | | 60 | 2/7/2025 | Weddle Law PLLC's Objection and Memorandum of Law in Opposition to Second Supplemental Motion of Trustee to Extend February 15, 2025 Deadline for Trustee to File Avoidance Actions | 52 Filed in Adv. Pro. No. 24-05188 (Despins v. Weddle Law PLLC) | | 61 | 1/29/2024 | Notice of Filing Motion to Extend Deadline to File Avoidance Actions and Notice of Hearing Filed by Patrick R. Linsey on behalf of Luc A. Despins Plaintiff | 68 Filed in Adv. Pro. No. 24-05060 (Despins v. Apple Inc. et al) | | 62 | 2/7/2025 | Objection / Apple Inc. Objection to Second Supplemental Motion of Chapter 11 Trustee to Extend February 15, 2025 Deadline for Trustee to File Avoidance Actions Filed by George Peter Angelich on behalf of Apple Inc. Defendant | 69 Filed in Adv. Pro. No. 24-05060 (Despins v. Apple Inc. et al) | | 63 | 1/29/2025 | Notice of Filing Motion to Extend Deadline to File Avoidance Actions and Notice of Hearing Filed by Patrick R. Linsey on behalf of Luc A. Despins Plaintiff | 43 Filed in Adv. Pro. No. 24-05117 (Despins v. Meta Platforms Inc.) | | 64 | 2/7/2025 | Objection / Meta Platforms Inc. Objection to Second Supplemental Motion of Chapter 11 Trustee to Extend February 15, 2025 Deadline for Trustee to File Avoidance Actions Filed by George Peter Angelich on behalf of Meta Platforms Inc. Defendant | 44 Filed in Adv. Pro. No. 24-05117 (Despins v. Meta Platforms Inc.) |

### **CERTIFICATION REGARDING TRANSCRIPTS**

Pursuant to Rule 8009(b)(1) of the Federal Rules of Bankruptcy Procedure, G Club Operations hereby certifies that all relevant transcripts have been ordered and are listed in the above designation of the record.

# **RESERVATION OF RIGHTS**

G Club Operations expressly reserves its right to supplement this designation.

Dated: March 6, 2025

### G CLUB OPERATIONS LLC

By: */s/ Michelle A. Antao* GREEN & SKLARZ LLC Jeffrey M. Sklarz (ct20938) Kellianne Baranowsky (ct26684) Michelle A. Antao (ct31715) One Audubon St, 3rd Floor New Haven, CT 06511 Tel: 203-285-8545 jsklarz@gs-lawfirm.com kbaranowsky@gs-lawfirm.com mantao@gs-lawfirm.com

### **CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE**

I hereby certify that on the date set forth below, a copy of the foregoing was served via CM/ECF. Parties may access this filing through the Court's CM/ECF system.

Date: March 6, 2025 /s/ Michelle A. Antao