Rhode Island Assistant AG Flanagan Arrested in Newport Trespass Dispute

Newly released police body-camera footage shows Rhode Island Special Assistant Attorney General Devon Hogan Flanagan being arrested outside the Clarke Cooke House restaurant in Newport on the night of Aug. 14 after she repeatedly ignored officers’ orders to leave the premises. In the video, Flanagan identifies herself as an assistant attorney general, shouts "I’m an AG" multiple times, and tells officers they will "regret" the arrest. Officers respond that her position does not exempt her from the law before placing her in handcuffs. According to a Newport Police report, Flanagan was "extremely uncooperative," berated officers during booking and was released with a district-court summons on a trespassing charge. A companion, Veronica Hannan, was also taken into custody after allegedly slipping her handcuffs and resisting officers. The Rhode Island Attorney General’s Office said it is reviewing the incident and declined further comment, citing personnel rules. Flanagan’s employment status was not immediately clarified.