A Rhode Island assistant attorney general was caught on police bodycam footage threatening Newport officers after refusing to leave a popular restaurant — repeatedly demanding they shut off their cameras and warning, “You’re gonna regret this.”
Devon Hogan Flanagan, 39, a special assistant attorney general with seven years in the Rhode Island AG’s Office, was arrested on August 14 at Clarke Cooke House, an upscale Newport hotspot on Bannister’s Wharf.
Police were called to the restaurant after management reported an “unwanted party” refusing to leave. When officers arrived, they found Flanagan and her friend, Veronica Hannan, arguing with staff.
According to bodycam footage obtained by NBC10 WJAR, Flanagan immediately tried to assert control:
“I want you to turn your bodycam off. Protocol is that you turn it off. It’s a citizen request,” she insisted.
Under Rhode Island law, no such policy exists — officers are required to keep bodycams rolling for transparency.
Restaurant staff told police they wanted both women removed. Officers warned them they’d be arrested if they refused to leave. Flanagan pushed back, insisting, “We’re not trespassing. You haven’t notified us.”
When an officer gave a final warning, Flanagan invoked her job title:
“You’re not going to arrest us. I’m an AG. I’m an AG.”
One officer shot back, “Good for you. I don’t give a f—. Let’s go.”
Moments later, police placed Flanagan in the back of a cruiser as she escalated her threats:
“Buddy, you’re going to regret this. You’re going to regret it. I’m an AG.”
NBC10 reported that Flanagan later offered “no comment” when contacted by phone.
On August 18, Rhode Island Attorney General Peter Neronha’s office issued a brief statement confirming the incident is under review but declined further comment.
Meanwhile, security expert Todd McGhee clarified why officers ignored Flanagan’s demand to shut off cameras:
“The law is very clearly written,” McGhee said. “Officers must record these interactions for accountability. Holding a certain title doesn’t change that.”
Hannan’s attorney, John Grasso, defended his client’s behavior, blaming her lack of experience with police:
“Perhaps that lack of prior experience caused her to be caught off guard,” he said. “Until you’re the person being grabbed, spun around, and handcuffed without explanation, it’s unfair to judge her reaction.”
Flanagan’s future at the Rhode Island Attorney General’s Office is uncertain. Legal analysts say her behavior could result in disciplinary action or even termination if she’s found to have misused her position.
For now, the footage speaks louder than her title — and Rhode Island taxpayers may soon learn whether one of their top prosecutors will keep her badge.
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Ms. Flanagan seems to be too full of herself. Does she think she is above the Law just because she claims to be an Officer of the Court? Assistant State’s Attorney General? I don’t care if she is Pam Bondi (US Attorney General) or a Supreme Court Justice. She must ‘face the music’ for this confrontation.