Viral Arrest of Rhode Island AG Staffer Devon Flanagan Triggers Unpaid Leave and Public Backlash

Rhode Island AG Staffer’s Viral Arrest Sparks Fallout and Unpaid Leave

When a high-ranking attorney for Rhode Island’s Attorney General’s office made headlines for all the wrong reasons, the fallout was swift—and messy. Devon Flanagan, a Special Assistant Attorney General pulling in a six-figure salary, is now officially on unpaid leave after her very public arrest became a viral talking point across the state.

At the center of this drama is a moment that exploded online: Flanagan, while being detained, loudly proclaimed, “I’m an AG! I’m an AG! You’re going to regret this!” The defiant words, caught on camera, clashed hard with the reality of her being led into the back of a police cruiser. One officer fired back bluntly: “Good for you, I don’t give a s---.” The exchange made for a viral clip that spread across social media like wildfire.

From Paid Leave to Unpaid Leave

Initially, Flanagan was placed on paid leave immediately after the incident as the Attorney General’s office launched its internal review. That changed quickly. Starting Monday, the AG’s office confirmed, she’ll transition to unpaid leave—though officials didn’t specify how long that status might last or what her ultimate job fate will be.

For context, state payroll records—unearthed by the Boston Globe—show that Flanagan had been earning around $113,000 a year in her role. That paycheck is now on hold indefinitely.

“Inexcusable Behavior” — AG Speaks Out

Attorney General Peter Neronha didn’t mince words in his first comments following the arrest. Speaking on WPRO Radio, he labeled Flanagan’s behavior as “inexcusable” and promised “strong, strong sanctions.”

“I’ve got 110 lawyers, and she embarrassed all of them,” Neronha said. “It’s not the first issue I’ve faced on my team, but it’s one of the more disappointing ones. I let one attorney go years back for driving drunk, and eventually brought him back because I needed someone to try tough murder cases. So, I have to think carefully here. But make no mistake—there will be accountability.”

Alcohol Suspected, but No Excuses

Neronha also indicated he believed alcohol played a role in the confrontation with police. Still, he stressed that intoxication doesn’t excuse what happened. “Clearly, she wasn’t thinking straight,” he said.

Interestingly, he pointed out that Flanagan had previously maintained an “unblemished” record in her role. She was well-regarded in the legal community, including by the state bar association. Since the incident, she has reportedly taken steps to apologize to the Newport Police Department and attempt to repair the damage.

Fact-Check: The Bodycam Claim

One of the more bizarre aspects of the arrest involved Flanagan claiming it was “the law” that officers must turn off their body cameras if requested by a citizen. Neronha set the record straight: “That’s simply not true. She was wrong, and she wasn’t thinking clearly.”

That misstep didn’t just undermine her own credibility—it fueled online debates about accountability, privilege, and how law enforcement interacts with individuals who hold positions of power.

A Career at a Crossroads

For Flanagan, the road back from this incident looks long and difficult. As Neronha put it bluntly: “She’s humiliated herself. Regardless of whether she stays with us or not, she’ll be dealing with the fallout for years to come.”

The Attorney General’s office has not set a deadline for when they’ll announce their final decision on her employment. That uncertainty has left many in Rhode Island’s legal circles buzzing. Could she come back after a strong sanction, as one of her colleagues did years ago? Or is this too public, too damaging, to walk back from?

Why This Story Struck a Nerve

The case is making waves not just because of the arrest itself, but because of what it symbolizes. Let’s break down why people can’t stop talking about it:

• Abuse of Power Allegations: Watching a government lawyer attempt to leverage her title to avoid arrest struck a chord with viewers who are tired of perceived “special treatment” for those in authority.

• Transparency in Justice: The viral video gave the public an unfiltered glimpse of how an arrest unfolded—bodycams rolling, emotions high, reputations on the line.

• AG’s Response: Neronha’s candid remarks—acknowledging both the embarrassment and the difficulty in staffing high-level attorneys—offered a rare behind-the-scenes look at how these situations are managed internally.

• Public Trust Issues: The arrest raised questions about accountability at the highest levels of state law enforcement, especially when the enforcer becomes the one accused of breaking the rules.

Looking at the Bigger Picture

While it’s tempting to focus only on the spectacle—the viral quotes, the viral clips—this story also shines a spotlight on something deeper. Rhode Island’s Attorney General’s office has the heavy responsibility of prosecuting crimes and maintaining public trust. When a top staffer is arrested and accused of using her position to avoid consequences, it risks eroding that trust.

Neronha’s challenge now is two-fold:

1. Discipline fairly—ensuring Flanagan faces accountability without making decisions that are solely for public optics.

2. Rebuild confidence—making sure the 110 other attorneys in his office, and the public at large, feel reassured that the system applies evenly to everyone.

What Happens Next?

That’s the big unknown. Flanagan is on unpaid leave, her salary frozen, and her reputation dented. Whether she keeps her job—or ever regains the trust of colleagues and the public—remains up in the air.

For now, the only thing that’s clear is that her attempt to use her title as a shield backfired spectacularly. Instead of protecting her, it turned her into a viral cautionary tale.

Key Takeaways from the Flanagan Case

To wrap things up, here are some important pointers from this unfolding story:

• Titles don’t protect you: Even an Assistant Attorney General can’t escape consequences when breaking the law.

• Public image matters: One viral video can overshadow years of solid work in an instant.

• Accountability is key: The Attorney General’s office must balance fairness with transparency to maintain public trust.

• Redemption is possible, but uphill: Past cases show some staffers can bounce back—but the public memory of this incident may make it harder.