Jonah Bevin court case now turns to his education

LOUISVILLE, Ky.— Jefferson Family Court Judge Angela Johnson said she needs more information on the education that former Gov. Matt Bevin and his ex-wife, Glenna, provided for their adopted son, Jonah. 

In court Thursday morning, Johnson said: “I want proof that Jonah received an appropriate education, and we’ll go from there.” 

Lawyers for the former governor objected, which Johnson noted. 

The judge previously ordered the Bevins to disclose detailed financial information as part of a proposed settlement in their divorce case and a year-long legal battle with their son, who seeks financial support. 

“In front of me are the three binders of financial documents we produced over the last four or five months,” Jesse Mudd, one of the Bevins’ lawyers, said in court. “We didn’t see one of these at the hearing in July because that didn’t fit their agenda. This isn’t the issue. Case has been argued. Case has been submitted. It needs to be decided so the Court of Appeals can then take a look at it.”  

Johnson said she expects any decision she makes to be sent to the Court of Appeals, but she wants that decision to be based on all available information. 

Attorneys scheduled the next hearing in the case for Jan. 28, when attorneys for Jonah will present more evidence. 

“Whether he got a diploma in a crash course in a year doesn’t necessarily mean that he has the skills to be a successful adult, and that is what sufficiency of education should mean, and that would be our argument,” said Melina Hettiaratchi, one of Jonah’s attorneys, after the status hearing. 

Johnson also said Thursday she will award Jonah’s team some attorney’s fees, though she did not disclose the amount. Hettiaratchi said this money will make it easier for the team to hire an expert to evaluate Jonah’s education. 

“It would basically be just nice to recoup the costs because that would be huge,” she said. 

Neither Glenna nor Matt Bevin was present for the morning’s proceedings. Jonah was present via video call. 

This is the latest in a long court battle as Jonah seeks support from his estranged parents.  He has alleged the Bevins abandoned him at age 17 in an abusive facility in Jamaica, leaving him with no resources or education. 

His lawyers have argued Jonah is entitled to support and resources to complete his education. 

In early September Matt Bevin was arrested in Bourbon County on an outstanding warrant for contempt of court. At the time, he was on the set of a Christmas movie being filmed in Kentucky. 

This story may be updated.