# Judge declines to step down from Bevin's contentious divorce case **Published:** 2026-04-16T23:08:56.000Z **Source:** [Kentucky Lantern](https://kentuckylantern.com/2026/04/16/judge-respectfully-declines-to-step-down-from-ex-gov-matt-bevins-divorce-case/) **AI-generated:** yes (claude-haiku-4-5-20251001) **Canonical:** https://feeds.lexingtonky.news/article/judge-declines-to-step-down-from-bevin-s-contentious-divorce-case LEXINGTON, Ky. — Jefferson Family Court Judge Angela Johnson has declined to remove herself from the contentious divorce case of [former Gov. Matt Bevin](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matt_Bevin) and his ex-wife Glenna, despite their allegations that she is biased and seeking media attention from the high-profile case, [according to the Kentucky Lantern](https://kentuckylantern.com/2026/04/16/judge-respectfully-declines-to-step-down-from-ex-gov-matt-bevins-divorce-case/). "This court holds no personal bias or prejudice against or in favor of any party or attorney involved," Johnson's April 16 order said. "This court has provided fair and impartial rulings thus far and will continue to do so." In a 15-page order, Johnson "respectfully declines" the Bevins' request to disqualify her, writing that while the couple has "offered a great deal of speculation as to this court's motivations," they failed to show she acted unfairly. "By disqualifying herself when no grounds to do so apply, this court would be improperly avoiding her duty to render a decision in a matter assigned to her," Johnson wrote. The case now returns to the Kentucky Supreme Court, where Chief Justice Debra Hembree Lambert will decide whether to replace Johnson as judge. The move caps a dramatic phase in a legal battle that has centered on whether [Jonah Bevin, the couple's 19-year-old adopted son, can intervene in their divorce proceedings](https://kentuckylantern.com/2026/03/16/contempt-finding-sought-against-former-gov-matt-bevin-as-adopted-son-seeks-support/) to seek financial support and educational assistance. The case involves allegations that Matt and Glenna Bevin abandoned Jonah at age 17 in an abusive youth facility in Jamaica that authorities later closed. Jonah alleges he received no adequate education and was left without resources. One of four children the couple adopted from Ethiopia in 2012, Jonah has alleged his parents left him to make his way back to the United States with help from child advocates. [In March, Johnson found Matt Bevin in contempt of court](https://kentuckylantern.com/2026/03/24/judge-sentences-former-ky-gov-bevin-to-jail-that-he-can-avoid-by-disclosing-financial-info/), sentencing him to 60 days in jail or a $500 bond for failing to provide detailed financial information. His request for a new judge temporarily blocked enforcement of that contempt order. An arrest warrant was later recalled by an appeals court judge. Jonah's lawyers, John H. Helmers and Melina Hettiaratchi, said they are pleased with Johnson's ruling. "The simple fact is that no one, not even Matt Bevin, is above the law," their statement said. "No one gets to pick their own judge when they disagree with a court's decision." In her April 16 order, Johnson disputed several of the Bevins' claims of bias. She noted that Matt Bevin told the court in April 2025 he would provide proof Jonah graduated from an accredited school, but documentation later provided showed the school "was not accredited by any recognized agency." She said the Bevins were given an opportunity to provide proof of the adequacy of Jonah's education "and failed to do so." Johnson also addressed Matt Bevin's allegations that she is seeking media attention to aid in her reelection as a circuit judge and attempting to "smear" him and his ex-wife. "This court has treated Matt Bevin like any other litigant," Johnson said. She noted that information about the couple's finances is essential in deciding whether to order support for Jonah and that she has had no role in media attention the case has attracted. "Neither this court or any of her staff have engaged with the media," her order said. Glenna Bevin's lawyer, Jason Bowman, said the final decision remains with the Supreme Court. "Until the chief justice rules on that motion, there is nothing further we can do at the trial court level," Bowman said. The Bevins' divorce became final last year, but a final financial settlement remains pending as the court decides whether Jonah is entitled to any support. ## Sources - [Kentucky Lantern](https://kentuckylantern.com/2026/04/16/judge-respectfully-declines-to-step-down-from-ex-gov-matt-bevins-divorce-case/) - [Kentucky Lantern - Contempt finding sought against former Gov. Matt Bevin as adopted son seeks support](https://kentuckylantern.com/2026/03/16/contempt-finding-sought-against-former-gov-matt-bevin-as-adopted-son-seeks-support/) - [Kentucky Lantern - Judge sentences ex-Gov. Bevin to jail that he can avoid by disclosing financial info](https://kentuckylantern.com/2026/03/24/judge-sentences-former-ky-gov-bevin-to-jail-that-he-can-avoid-by-disclosing-financial-info/) --- This article was generated by AI (claude-haiku-4-5-20251001) based on source material from Kentucky Lantern, enriched with 3 web searches. The original source is available at https://kentuckylantern.com/2026/04/16/judge-respectfully-declines-to-step-down-from-ex-gov-matt-bevins-divorce-case/.