Judge orders former Gov. Matt Bevin to attend upcoming court hearing in person
Former Gov. Matt Bevin, along with his wife and son, has been ordered to attend an upcoming court hearing in person, following an arrest warrant issued for him in the family’s divorce and child support case.
Jonah Bevin, the son of the former governor, intervened in his parents’ divorce proceedings last year, seeking retroactive child support after he said his parents abandoned him at an abusive youth facility in Jamaica when he was 16, and are no longer financially supporting him.
An arrest warrant has been issued for Matt Bevin after he repeatedly failed to provide financial documents to the court that would be used to determine child support. Jefferson Family Court Judge Angela Johnson declined to rescind the arrest warrant last week until those documents were turned over, saying Bevin and his lawyer were aware of the documents needed.
In an order issued Tuesday, Johnson emphasized that “all parties are to attend in person no Zoom appearances will be allowed.” The hearing is set for July 28.
On multiple occasions, Matt Bevin has joined court proceedings virtually, despite instructions from Johnson saying participants should attend in person. Jonah Bevin has been allowed to attend via Zoom as he is currently living out of state and was given permission by the court, lawyers said at a May sentencing for Matt Bevin.
Glenna Bevin filed for divorce in May 2023. Jonah Bevin is one of four children the Bevins adopted from Ethiopia. They also have five biological children.
The order Tuesday also says that parties must submit memorandums to the court outlining any experts who will testify and “a concise statement of each issue of law and each issue of fact recognized by the party” prior to the hearing.
Arrest warrant issued for Matt Bevin
While Glenna Bevin has turned in the requested financial documents, Matt Bevin has not provided key documents, and has instead repeatedly sought extensions. That led to Johnson issuing a warrant for his arrest June 5, as his lawyer requested another extension.
Matt Bevin could face 60 days behind bars at the Louisville Metro jail and a $500 fine if the warrant isn’t rescinded.
He was previously held in contempt of court in March for repeatedly failing to turn over financial records in the case after missing the deadline to produce records showing his income, including bank statements and tax returns. In March, he told Johnson he was attempting to gather the financial records, but needed additional time because he did not have traditional documentation of income.
Then, in May, the former governor was given 14 days in jail or the fine, after again failing to comply with court orders. He appeared at a sentencing via Zoom, saying he was unable to attend in person because a boulder had fallen on a home he owns in Maine. He had previously been ordered to attend in person, and had again failed to turn over what the court deemed were the necessary financial documents.
Matt Bevin paid the $250 fine, according to court documents, and was told to produce the requested documents by June 5 at noon.
Shortly before the deadline, his lawyer filed an emergency motion requesting an extension until June 15, which Johnson denied.
Johnson then issued a warrant for his arrest. The former governor will spend 60 days in jail and must pay a $500 fine upon his arrest. He is not currently listed as an inmate on the Louisville jail’s website as of Tuesday afternoon.