Another arrest warrant issued for former Kentucky Gov. Matt Bevin in family court case

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) — Another arrest warrant was issued Friday afternoon for former Kentucky Gov. Matt Bevin.

Bevin had until noon to turn over financial records in an ongoing family court case or face 60 days in jail and pay a $500 fine.

Jefferson Family Court Judge Angela Johnson issued the order Thursday for Bevin to turn over the documents in the ongoing legal dispute involving Bevin, his ex-wife, Glenna Bevin, and their adopted son, Jonah Bevin.

Earlier in the afternoon, it was reported that the former governor avoided jail time after providing the documents. But WDRB has since learned that Johnson signed another arrest warrant just after 1:20 p.m., denying a motion filed by Bevin's attorneys at the last minute for an extension to produce the financial documents.

Johnson wrote in the order denying the extension that Matt Bevin "has already been granted more than reasonable time to produce documents."

In the Order of Arrest, Johnson said Bevin "failed to turn these documents over in a timely manner" and did not provide all documents requested.

The judge previously ordered Matt Bevin to appear in person for a hearing last week about the case. Instead, Matt Bevin appeared via Zoom, citing property damage at his home in Maine, according to court records.

Johnson held Matt Bevin in contempt and ordered him to either serve 14 days in jail or pay a $250 fine. Court documents show the fine was paid, and a bench warrant issued in the case was later recalled.

This also isn't the first dispute over Matt Bevin's financial records. In March, Matt Bevin was issued a warrant and sentenced to 60 days in jail after a judge found him in contempt of court for failing to disclose financial information. That order was later paused while appellate courts considered Matt Bevin's request to remove Johnson from the case.

The Kentucky Court of Appeals ultimately allowed Johnson to remain on the case.

Jonah Bevin accused his parents of sending him to an abusive boarding school when he was a teenager. He's also made accusations of emotional and physical abuse, and obtained an emergency protective order against Matt Bevin.

Matt Bevin is due back in court June 15.

He shared the below statement through his lawyer:

"We love our son, Jonah, and want him to become the man God created him to be. That has never waivered from the moment he was adopted by our family when he was five years old.

This case currently in Judge Johnson’s court, is not a case about child support. Both Glenna and I have contributed fully to the financial well being and care of every one of our nine children and continue to do so for the sole child still in our home. There is no claim or demand by either of us for child support from the other.

Supposedly, this case was to explore whether or not an adult (in this case, our son, Jonah) could sue their parents for divorce and/or for retroactive child support which that adult believes they are entitled to. Understandably, this demand is not allowed by law in Kentucky or any state in America. Legal mayhem would ensue if it were allowed. The judge knows this. The appellate courts and the Supreme Court of Kentucky know this.

Now, however, it appears to many that Judge Johnson is using her elected platform for partisan purposes that have no relation to the initial parameters of this case. The shift from examining potential need for retroactive child support, to what it has turned into today, which now seems singularly focused on finding some way to put me in jail, does nothing to resolve this case. It makes a mockery of Kentucky and our court system, and comes at a great cost to those families whose real cases keep getting pushed aside for a case in which no legal basis even exists.

Many have wondered why, as Jonah’s parents, we have never publicly responded to the false allegations that have been made against us. The reasons, despite our effort to have them handled privately, have now been forced by this judge and Jonah’s attorneys to be publicly discussed in detail in her courtroom next month. We have tried repeatedly to have this case discussed in private for Jonah’s sake. The judge has refused. So now, the truth of his behavioral health, substance abuse and criminal history will be played out for the self-serving purposes of those exploiting his vulnerabilities. This will not be good for Jonah, who we have always tried to protect.

When this case is finally resolved, his family will still be right here, where we have been from the start; always available and willing to help Jonah do what is legally and personally right in his life. We hope and pray that day comes soon."

In a statement, attorneys for Jonah Bevin accuse Matt Bevin of using the litigation "to victimize" his adopted child.

The complete statement can be read below:

"After a clear and direct Order from Judge Angela Johnson on Friday, Jonah expected to finally receive the financial information that the Court can review in every child support case. The Court gave Matthew Bevin until 12 p.m. today to provide the documents requested in discovery. Mr. Bevin had all week to tender documents. The same documents were ordered to be exchanged more than a year ago.

At 11:46 a.m., Mr. Bevin filed a notice of production, indicating he had provided "supplemental" documentation in compliance with the Court’s orders and counsel’s requests. At 11:51 a.m., he filed an emergency motion for more time, an admission that he had failed to provide all documents. At 1:34 p.m., Judge Johnson entered an Order denying the motion and issuing an Order of Arrest.

"It is fair to say at this point that Matt Bevin is a fugitive," said John H. Helmers, Jr. and Melina Hettiaratchi, of Helmers+Associates. "The Judge’s Order reinforces the simple fact that the rule of law applies to everyone here in Kentucky. Power, wealth, or political influence have no bearing and will not provide immunity."

Mr. Bevin issued a statement shortly before the 12:00 p.m. deadline that the Bevins were now "forced by this judge and Jonah’s attorneys" to publicize "the truth of his behavioral health, substance abuse and criminal history." This aligns with subpoenas filed earlier in the week by Ms. Bevin, who has her own financial discovery requests still outstanding.

Ms. Bevin is seeking Jonah’s juvenile court records and documents from the multiple institutions to which the Bevins sent Jonah during his adolescence.

"I am not surprised that my parents are again trying to put this on me," says Jonah Bevin, in response to Mr. Bevin’s statement. "I have been very open and public about my experience growing up in harmful and abusive environments. I want to make my story public so it never happens to another kid. It is also exactly like my dad to make an offer of blackmail look like help."

Mr. Bevin was already found to have committed domestic violence against Jonah after using intimidation tactics that made Jonah fear for his safety.

"I don’t want anyone to have to experience jail," says Jonah after learning that the arrest order has been issued. "However, I am grateful to Judge Johnson for standing firm on this. She gave him so many chances, and there have to be consequences now. It is really empowering to see someone stand up to him."

Once Mr. Bevin either turns himself in or is picked up by law enforcement, he will serve 60 days in Louisville Metro Department of Corrections and pay a $500.00 fine as his sentencing for contempt. The parties are set for a trial on Jonah’s intervening petition in July."

This story may be updated.