LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) — The Kentucky Court of Appeals denied former Kentucky Gov. Matt Bevin's request to block a Jefferson Family Court judge's arrest order tied to his ongoing divorce and child support case.
In an order entered Tuesday, a three-judge panel denied Bevin's petition for a writ of mandamus or prohibition, ruling he isn't entitled to the extraordinary relief he sought.
Bevin had asked the appeals court to vacate or prohibit enforcement of an arrest order issued by Jefferson Family Court Judge Angela Johnson after he was found in contempt for allegedly failing to comply with a court order requiring him to produce complete, unredacted financial disclosures.
The underlying case stems from Bevin's divorce from Glenna Bevin. Their son, Jonah Bevin, was allowed to intervene in the case in 2025, arguing he is entitled to child support.
According to the court's order, the family court directed Matt and Glenna Bevin in March to provide complete financial disclosures within 48 hours. After Jonah Bevin argued the order hadn't been followed, the court found Matt Bevin in contempt following a March 20 hearing. A sentencing hearing was held March 24, when the arrest order was issued.
Before that hearing, Bevin sought to have Johnson removed from the case. The Court of Appeals agreed the family court should've paused proceedings while the Kentucky chief justice considered the recusal request. However, the judges concluded Bevin wasn't harmed because the appeals court had already stayed the arrest order and sentencing while the recusal issue was pending.
The order notes that Kentucky Chief Justice Debra Hembree Lambert later denied requests from both Matt and Glenna Bevin to remove Judge Johnson from the case, finding no legal basis requiring the appointment of a special judge. As a result, the Court of Appeals said the family court's arrest order and sentencing order now have "full force and effect."
The appellate court also said any remaining arguments Bevin has regarding the family court proceedings can be raised through a direct appeal after a final judgment is entered in the divorce case.
The divorce and related financial disputes have been ongoing in Jefferson Family Court since 2023.
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