Former Kentucky Governor Arrested on Film Set

Former Kentucky Governor Matthew Bevin was taken into custody Thursday while working as an extra on a holiday film production in Bourbon County, marking the latest development in contentious divorce proceedings that have resulted in multiple legal complications for the state's former chief executive.

Law enforcement officers arrested Bevin on the set of the Christmas movie and transported him to the Louisville Metro Department of Corrections, where he was booked on charges of contempt of court libel/slander resistance to order, according to Louisville Public Media. A booking photograph was taken following his processing at the facility.

The arrest stems from Bevin's failure to provide financial records to a judge overseeing his divorce and child support case. After the former governor did not comply with court orders to produce the documents, the presiding judge found him in contempt and issued an arrest warrant.

This marks the second arrest warrant Bevin has faced this year in connection with the case, Louisville Public Media reported. The first warrant was issued after he failed to appear at a court hearing in May. Bevin attributed his absence to a boulder that struck his vacation home in Maine. He subsequently paid a fine, and the judge rescinded that warrant.

The second warrant was issued after Bevin failed to submit his financial records as ordered by the court. Unlike the first instance, Bevin was unable to pay the associated fine, leaving the warrant active and ultimately leading to Thursday's arrest.

Court proceedings in July saw both Bevin's ex-wife Glenna and their son appear in person, Louisville Public Media reported. During that hearing, an unidentified party attempted to join the courtroom via Zoom multiple times but was dropped from the call after allegedly failing to identify themselves.

Bevin served as Kentucky's 62nd governor from 2015 to 2019. His tenure was marked by controversial policy decisions and contentious relationships with state legislators. Since leaving office, he has maintained a lower public profile, though his legal troubles have periodically drawn attention.

The circumstances of his arrest—occurring while he was working on a film set—underscore the unusual intersection of his post-gubernatorial activities and ongoing legal obligations. The production in Bourbon County represents one of numerous film projects that have been shot in Kentucky in recent years as the state has sought to attract entertainment industry business.