Lawyers for Jonah Bevin, the estranged adopted son of former Kentucky Gov. Matt Bevin, are asking a judge to hold his father in contempt of court for ignoring a court order requiring him to turn over personal financial information.
Friday’s filing comes after a Family Court judge last week Already ordered Matt Bevin and his ex-wife Glenna Bevin have revealed detailed financial information as part of a divorce settlement and year-long legal battle with their 19-year-old son, who is seeking support.
Glenna Bevin has provided her financial information to Jonah Bevin’s attorneys, although they have not submitted that information to the court as ordered by a judge, according to court documents filed Friday. But Matt Bevin unsuccessfully tried to stop his son from intervening in his divorce settlement, providing only incomplete and redacted information.
“Jonah submits that Matt Bevin failed to comply ‘with the utmost good faith,’ and he asks the court to sanction Mr. Bevin for his apparent disregard of the court’s express orders,” the motion filed by attorneys John H. Helmers Jr. and Melina Hettiaratchi states.
Jonah Bevin listens to the judge during a hearing in Louisville Family Court on March 25, 2025. On the left is attorney Melina Hettiaratchi. (Photo by Michael Clevenger, The Courier-Journal via News Team)
Their filing calls for a hearing on the matter, noting that contempt “is a serious matter and a person held in contempt of court may be held in county jail for up to 180 days.”
On March 10, Jefferson Family Court Judge Angela J. Johnson gave the Bevins 48 hours to disclose financial information or face sanctions, saying the Bevins acted in “malice” by concealing their finances from the court and Jonah Bevin.
She ordered the Bevins to provide such information to the court and Jonah by March 12.
“This is the only warning the court will issue; any defect or failure to comply with the letter and spirit of the court’s ruling regarding discovery Will Resulting in sanctions against Matt and Glenna,” her order said.
Her order noted that possible sanctions for failure to comply could include a finding of contempt of court.
Jonah Bevin claims his parents are wealthy abandoned him At 17, Jamaican child welfare officials closed a facility for juveniles who suffered brutal abuse, leaving him without any resources or education.
He is one of four children from Ethiopia adopted in 2012 by the Bevins, who have nine children in total.
His attorney argued that Jonah was entitled to support and resources to complete his education. In her March 10 order, the judge said she was considering child support for Jonah and said she needed financial details from the Bevins.
“Both the court and Jonah should be aware of the parties’ assets when considering child support,” Johnson’s order said.
Matt Bevin is a business entrepreneur who was estimated to be worth millions of dollars when he ran for governor. His attorney did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Glenna Bevin’s attorney, Jason Bowman, said in an email that his client has complied and is not subject to the contempt motion.
“I believe my client has fulfilled his obligations under the court order,” Bowman said.
Glenna Bevin filed for divorce in 2023 from her husband, a Republican who served as governor from 2015 to 2019.
The divorce was finalized last year, but the final settlement of assets was delayed after Jonah Bevin filed a motion to intervene in March 2025, seeking support from his adoptive parents.
