A Rhode Island prosecutor has been placed on unpaid leave after a late-night arrest spiraled into a viral spectacle. Devon Flanagan, a special assistant attorney general, was taken into custody on August 14 outside the Clarke Cooke House restaurant in Newport after refusing police requests to leave. Body camera footage released by the Newport Police Department shows her repeatedly invoking her title—“I’m an AG! I’m an AG!”—while officers tried to escort her away. At one point, she warned, “You’re going to regret this,” only for an officer to respond bluntly, “Good for you, I don’t give a s—.”
2/ After Asst. Attorney General Devon Hogan Flanagan yelled "I'M AN AG" ELEVEN TIMES, she threatened police. "Buddy, you're gonna regret this."
She tried to say it 12X but police shut the door after "A" & before "G."
So that's 11.5X.
I'm not sure, but I think she's an AG. pic.twitter.com/ps8kYqYVxq
— Nicole Solas, Sued by the Teachers Union (@Nicoletta0602) August 18, 2025
The footage quickly circulated online, forcing Attorney General Peter Neronha to confront the fallout. Speaking on WPRO Radio, he described Flanagan’s behavior as “inexcusable” and said it would bring “strong, strong sanction[s].” He noted her demand that officers turn off their body cameras was baseless: “I’m not sure what she was thinking. Clearly, she was not thinking straight.”
The Attorney General’s Office confirmed to Fox News that Flanagan’s shift from paid to unpaid leave beginning August 25, with no timeline for reinstatement. Neronha, who acknowledged the incident appeared alcohol-related, nevertheless underscored that intoxication could not excuse the conduct. “She embarrassed all of them,” he said of the 110 lawyers in his office.
Flanagan, who earns about $113,000 annually, had until now maintained what Neronha called an “unblemished” record and was respected within the state bar. She has since apologized to Newport police. Even so, the attorney general conceded that her standing has been badly damaged: “She’s humiliated herself. Regardless of what happens vis-à-vis her employment with us, she’s going to have a long time coming back from this.”
Neronha admitted his office has struggled to retain qualified attorneys for complex cases, citing a past instance where he reinstated a lawyer fired for drunk driving. “It’s just really hard to find and keep capable lawyers, and so I just have to think really carefully about this one,” he said.
Flanagan faces a misdemeanor charge of willful trespassing and is due for arraignment on August 27. The Attorney General’s Office declined to discuss her employment future, citing personnel matters, but Neronha made clear that whatever decision comes, the damage is lasting. “It’s just really unfortunate,” he said.
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Do this nationwide OK awesome