Rhode Island Attorney General on Unpaid Leave After Arrest

The Attorney General of Rhode Island is taking unpaid leave after an incident involving his assistant, Devon Flanagan, who was arrested on August 14th for resisting arrest outside Clark Cookhouse.

Beginning Monday, Flanagan will be on unpaid leave following her arrest, as reported by Rhode Island Current. A bodycam clip shared on X showed Flanagan asserting her position by repeatedly stating, “I’m AG, I’m AG.” Her friend defended her, saying, “She’s a lawyer, so she knows.”

During the arrest, Flanagan allegedly warned officers, “You’ll regret this,” while officers were in the process of detaining her. The footage also shows her resisting, at one point even tossing her handcuffs to the ground before being restrained and placed in a police vehicle.

In a radio interview, Rhode Island Attorney General Peter Neronha labeled Flanagan’s behavior as “unforgivable” and indicated that there would be “strong sanctions” forthcoming. He expressed disappointment, remarking, “I have 110 lawyers, and she embarrassed all of us. I’ve had no issues like this during my tenure.”

Neronha hinted that alcohol may have played a role in the incident but emphasized that this would not excuse Flanagan’s actions. He also criticized her claim that officers should turn off their body cameras when asked, saying it was unclear what she was thinking at the time.

He noted the long-term impact this incident will have on Flanagan’s reputation, labeling it as “humiliating” for her and a great loss for their office. Flanagan is set to appear in Newport District Court on August 27th, where she will face the consequences of her actions.