(WAVE/WDRB/WKYT) – The Kentucky Court of Appeals has denied former Gov. Matt Bevin’s request to block an arrest order issued in his ongoing Jefferson Family Court divorce and child support case. This is according to our sister station, WDRB.
A three-judge panel ruled Tuesday that Bevin is not entitled to the extraordinary relief he sought through a petition for a writ of mandamus or prohibition. Bevin had asked the court to vacate or prevent enforcement of an arrest order entered by Judge Angela Johnson after he was found in contempt for allegedly failing to provide complete, unredacted financial disclosures as ordered.
The case arises from Bevin’s divorce from Glenna Bevin, and their son, Jonah Bevin, was allowed to intervene in 2025, arguing he is entitled to child support.
Court records show the family court ordered both Matt and Glenna Bevin in March to provide complete financial disclosures within 48 hours. After Jonah Bevin argued the order had not 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 said the family court should have paused proceedings while the Kentucky chief justice considered the recusal request, but concluded Bevin was not harmed because the appeals court had already stayed the arrest order and sentencing while that issue was pending.
The order also notes Kentucky Chief Justice Debra Hembree Lambert later denied requests from both Matt and Glenna Bevin to remove Johnson, finding no legal basis to appoint a special judge. With that decision, the Court of Appeals said the family court’s arrest and sentencing orders now have “full force and effect.”
The appellate court added Bevin can raise any remaining arguments about the family court proceedings through a direct appeal after a final judgment is entered in the divorce case.