Rhode Island Assistant AG Placed on Unpaid Leave Following Viral Arrest
In a development that has garnered widespread attention, Special Assistant Attorney General Devon Flanagan of Rhode Island has been placed on unpaid leave effective Monday following her arrest for trespassing. The incident, which was captured on video and quickly went viral, showed Flanagan appearing to leverage her position within the Attorney General’s office in an attempt to avoid arrest. Initially placed on paid leave while the Rhode Island Attorney General’s office conducted its review, Flanagan’s status has now changed to unpaid as the office continues to evaluate the situation. The timeline for a final determination regarding her employment remains unclear, with the Attorney General’s office providing limited details about their ongoing review process. According to state payroll records cited by the Boston Globe, Flanagan had been earning approximately $113,000 annually in her role as a Special Assistant Attorney General.
The body camera footage that circulated online captured a troubling exchange between Flanagan and police officers during her arrest. “I’m an AG! I’m an AG!” Flanagan can be heard repeatedly stating as officers attempted to detain her for non-compliance. She then issued what appeared to be a threat, saying, “You’re going to regret this. You’re going to regret it.” The arresting officer responded dismissively, “Good for you, I don’t give a s—,” as Flanagan was placed in the back of a police car. This confrontation, in which a legal professional appeared to be attempting to use her position to intimidate law enforcement officers, has raised significant concerns about professional conduct and ethical standards within the legal community.
Rhode Island Attorney General Peter Neronha addressed the incident in a subsequent radio interview, describing Flanagan’s behavior as “inexcusable” and indicating that it would likely result in “strong, strong sanction[s].” However, Neronha also provided some context, noting that this isn’t the first time he’s had to manage misconduct among his staff. “I’ve got 110 lawyers, she embarrassed all of them,” Neronha told WPRO Radio. He went on to share a previous experience where he had terminated an employee for drunk driving but later rehired them due to their courtroom capabilities in complex murder cases. Neronha emphasized the challenges in “finding and keeping capable lawyers,” suggesting that this reality would factor into his decision-making regarding Flanagan’s future with the office.
Neronha also offered additional insights into the incident, suggesting that alcohol likely played a role, though he clarified that this doesn’t excuse Flanagan’s behavior. He painted a more nuanced picture of Flanagan as an employee with an “unblemished” record who is well-regarded by the state bar association. According to Neronha, Flanagan has already taken steps to make amends with the Newport Police Department, including issuing an apology for her conduct. When questioned about specific details of the incident—such as Flanagan’s claim to the officer that he was legally required to turn off his body camera at her request—Neronha acknowledged that she was incorrect in this assertion and added, “I’m not sure what she was thinking. Clearly, she was not thinking straight.”
The incident highlights the complex intersection of professional accountability, personal conduct, and the higher standard to which legal professionals—particularly those representing the state—are held. As a Special Assistant Attorney General, Flanagan’s role involves representing the people of Rhode Island and upholding the law. When someone in such a position appears to believe they are above the very laws they’re tasked with enforcing, it raises legitimate questions about integrity within the justice system. The viral nature of the arrest has amplified these concerns, bringing them to public attention in a way that might otherwise not have occurred for a more private professional disciplinary matter.
Despite the uncertainty surrounding Flanagan’s professional future, Neronha’s comments suggest that the personal and professional consequences of her actions will be long-lasting regardless of the official outcome. “She’s humiliated herself,” Neronha remarked in his radio interview. “Regardless of what happens vis a vis her employment with us, she’s going to have a long time coming back from this. It’s just really unfortunate.” This sentiment reflects the reality that in an age of social media and body cameras, moments of poor judgment can quickly become defining aspects of one’s professional reputation. For Flanagan, a career built on legal expertise and public service now stands overshadowed by a single incident that calls into question her judgment and understanding of the very legal system she was employed to uphold.
