(WAVE/WKYT) – A second arrest warrant has been recalled for former Kentucky Governor Matt Bevin after he failed to appear in court in person on Friday.
Bevin has been in an ongoing legal dispute with his adopted son, Jonah, who is seeking financial support after alleging his family sent him to an abusive boarding school.
In March, the former governor was found in contempt of court by Jefferson Family Court Judge Angela Johnson, who issued a warrant for Bevin’s arrest and sentenced him to 60 days in jail or a $500 fine after he refused to turn over financial records in his legal battle with his son.
Court of Appeals Judge Audra J. Eckerle dismissed the warrant because Bevin requested that Johnson be disqualified from the case.
According to Jefferson Circuit Court Administrator McKay Chauvin, Bevin was ordered to appear in court on Friday, May 29, but chose to appear by Zoom instead, explaining that he had property damage that he had to attend to in Maine.
Due to Bevin failing to appear in person, a second warrant for his arrest was issued on Friday, requiring him to serve 14 days in jail or pay a $250 fine.
According to court documents, the bench warrant was recalled after the fine was paid on Friday, May 29.
Bevin is still required to comply with the court’s previous order and turn over the requested financial records by Thursday, June 4, or risk 60 days in jail and a $500 fine.
Bevin’s attorney, Jesse Mudd, provided the following statement regarding the hearing:
“The fact remains, that Jonah, while an adult able to make his own decisions in life, is still Matt and Glenna’s son and they will always continue to love and provide for him as they do for all their children. Former Governor Bevin has gone above and beyond to produce financial records and private information that is not expected of any other litigant in a child support action in Kentucky. Unfortunately, like prior hearings in this case, today’s hearing turned into political theater instead of focusing on moving the case forward to resolution.”