NEWPORT, RI – In a development that reads more like a crime blotter entry than a press release from the highest levels of state government, a top official within the Rhode Island Attorney General’s office finds herself on the wrong side of the law.
Devon Hogan Flanagan, an Assistant Attorney General, was arrested in the early hours of Saturday morning in Newport following a reported disturbance. The arrest of a senior prosecutor, whose job is to uphold the very laws she is accused of breaking, has sent shockwaves through the state’s legal and political community.
Details remain fluid, but according to preliminary Newport Police reports, the incident began with a call for a “disturbance” near the harbor area. Upon arrival, officers interacted with Flanagan. While the official police report is pending, sources close to the investigation suggest the charges are connected to disorderly conduct and obstruction of an officer in the execution of their duties.
Perhaps the most damning allegation, and the one capturing public attention, is that the prosecutor was publicly intoxicated at the time of the incident, leading to the colloquial but potent search term “RI AG drunk” trending locally.
Who is Devon Hogan Flanagan?
Flanagan is not a junior staffer. As an Assistant Attorney General, she is a seasoned prosecutor entrusted with representing the people of Rhode Island in court. Her portfolio reportedly includes serious cases, making the alleged lapse in judgment all the more stunning. A quick search of her professional history shows her name has been attached to numerous court documents, a stark contrast to the arrest report that now bears her name.
Online searches also reveal public records connecting her to another well-known Rhode Island legal figure, Veronica Hannan, though the exact nature of their personal or professional relationship is part of the private sphere this article will respect.
A Statement from the Top: The AG’s Office Reacts
The Office of Attorney General Peter F. Neronha moved quickly to address the elephant in the room. In a terse statement released later on Saturday, a spokesperson acknowledged the incident:
“We are aware of the situation involving an employee of this office. We are gathering all pertinent information and will have no further comment until that process is complete, as this is a personnel matter.”
The statement is a classic example of legal and PR damage control—acknowledging the issue without admitting fault or revealing strategy. The phrase “personnel matter” signals that internal disciplinary actions, which could range from suspension to termination, are now a very real possibility, separate from any criminal proceedings.
The Court of Public Opinion vs. The Court of Law
As with any high-profile arrest, the “court of public opinion” is already in session on social media. The incident raises uncomfortable questions about accountability, privilege, and the standards to which we hold our public officials.
There is, of course, a critical legal principle at stake: the presumption of innocence. Devon Hogan Flanagan is entitled to her day in court and the opportunity to present her side of the story. The charges against her are, at this stage, merely allegations.
However, for a figure in a position of immense public trust, the mere fact of an arrest—especially one alleging obstruction of law enforcement—creates a palpable crisis of confidence. How can a prosecutor effectively argue for the upholding of law and order when they themselves have been accused of disrupting it?
What Happens Next?
The legal process will grind forward at its own pace. Flanagan is expected to be arraigned in Newport County Court where she will formally hear the charges and enter a plea. The AG’s office, to avoid a glaring conflict of interest, will almost certainly need to appoint a special prosecutor from an outside jurisdiction to handle the case.
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