Former Kentucky Governor Matt Bevin appeared in Family Court on Tuesday, March 25, with attorney Zach Buckler during a hearing regarding an emergency protective order requested by his son, Jonah Bevin, against the former governor and former First Lady Glenna Bevin. Photo by Michael Clevenger, Courier Journal, via press pool.
This story was first published by Kentucky Lantern, a project of States Newsroom.
A judge has given former Kentucky Gov. Matt Bevin and his ex-wife, Glenna Bevin, 48 hours to submit detailed financial disclosures as part of their divorce settlement or face sanctions, including possible contempt of court.
In a strongly worded order issued March 10, Jefferson Family Court Judge Angela J. Johnson said the Bevins acted in “bad faith” by hiding their financial status while their estranged adopted son, Jonah Bevin, seeks the information in hopes of receiving financial support.
The order said reports the Bevins submitted to the court with all financial details redacted were not acceptable.
“No reasonable person could possibly perceive financial disclosures with every single piece of financial information redacted to fulfill adequately the court’s requirement that financial information be handed over to Jonah,” it said. “Matt and Glenna acted with the intent to delay and frustrate proceedings. This is the only warning the court will issue; any deficiency or failure to adhere to the letter and spirit of the court’s rulings pertaining to discovery SHALL result in sanctions against Matt and Glenna.”
Jefferson Family Court Judge Angela J. Johnson gave the Bevins 48 hours to provide financial disclosures. Photo by Michael Clevenger, Courier Journal, via press pool.
The judge also said she will consider awarding Jonah Bevin’s lawyers the costs they incurred in asking the court to compel the Bevins to produce financial information.
The ruling marks the latest development in the year-long legal battle between Jonah Bevin and his wealthy parents, whom he claims abandoned him at age 17 in a severely abusive youth facility in Jamaica that child welfare officials shut down in 2024.
Jonah Bevin, now 19, is one of four children from Ethiopia whom the Bevins adopted in 2012.
Neither the Bevins nor their attorneys immediately responded to requests for comment.
Matt Bevin, a Republican, business entrepreneur and conservative Christian, served as Kentucky governor from 2015 to 2019 after running a campaign that promoted adoption and foster care. He and Glenna Bevin have nine children, including four adopted.
John H. Helmers, a lawyer representing Jonah Bevin, said he and his law partner, Melina Hettiaratchi, welcomed the judge’s order.
“The finding that Matt and Glenna Bevin have acted in bad faith is supported by the facts,” Helmers said in an email. “At every turn, the Bevins have assumed that they are above the law. The order proves that they are subject to the same rules as everyone else in family court.”
Jonah Bevin, right, and one of his lawyers, Melina Hettiaratchi, listen during a court hearing in Louisville on March 25, 2025. Photo by Michael Clevenger, Courier Journal, via press pool.
Bevins say they have no ‘regular income’
The Bevins’ divorce was finalized a year ago, but the financial settlement has been delayed after Jonah successfully petitioned last year to intervene, arguing that he is entitled to support and help completing his education after being abandoned at 17 without resources or a valid high school diploma.
The Bevins have twice unsuccessfully appealed the family court judge’s decision allowing Jonah to intervene in their divorce case. Both appeals were rejected, most recently last month.
The family court judge also denied the Bevins’ attempts to seal the case from public view. The state Court of Appeals affirmed that ruling in its latest decision, stating such records should be “open and available to the public unless a family court determines there is a reason to seal the records.”
The judge’s order noted that the Bevins’ lawyers argued during a recent hearing that the couple should not have to disclose their financial details because “they do not have regular income.”
“According to their attorneys, Matt and Glenna live off dividends and interest,” Johnson’s order said.
Matt Bevin’s net worth was estimated in the millions when he ran for governor in 2015, and he and his ex-wife owned several homes, each valued at more than $1 million.
Johnson said she needs current financial information from the Bevins to calculate any potential child support.
The Bevins’ lawyers have argued that Kentucky law does not allow children to intervene in their parents’ divorce case or request child support.
However, Johnson’s order said the Bevins’ situation is “markedly distinct from any other child support case before the court,” and therefore “may make departure from the typical process for calculating child support necessary.”
A dispute over whether Jonah qualifies for child support is “no excuse” for the Bevins’ failure to disclose financial information, the order said.
The judge set the deadline for the Bevins to submit their financial disclosures for Thursday, March 12, at 12:56 p.m.
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