The Rhode Island AG says one among his prosecutor workers, who beforehand labored within the Suffolk DA’s Workplace, “embarrassed herself” after she tried to make use of her title to dam her arrest in a testy alternate with police.
In a Tuesday radio interview, Legal professional Common Peter Neronha mentioned Particular Assistant AG Devon Hogan Flanagan will face a “strong sanction” for an incident that has gone viral nationally.
The Newport Police Division arrested Flanagan final Thursday on a cost of willful trespassing on the Clarke Cooke Home restaurant, shortly earlier than 10 p.m. The following interplay has gone viral for the reason that division launched physique digital camera footage on Monday.
“Buddy, you’re gonna regret this. You’re gonna regret it,” Flanagan is heard telling a police officer on physique digital camera footage whereas being positioned inside a cruiser in the course of the incident. “I’m an AG.”
Neronha mentioned that he was “still reviewing and thinking about what I’m going to do” when it comes to how he’ll self-discipline Flanagan, calling her conduct “inexcusable.” He mentioned his worker can be taking “some steps to try to address that in the next day or so.”
“Look, she’s put me in a bad position,” Neronha mentioned on Windfall’s WPRO, “she’s embarrassed herself, humiliated herself, treated the Newport Police Department horribly.”
In accordance with state payroll information, by the Massachusetts Workplace of the Comptroller, Flanagan labored as an assistant district lawyer in Suffolk County in a part of 2017 and 2018. She made far wanting her annual wage of $48,000, information present.
Flanagan, a Suffolk Regulation graduate, joined the Rhode Island AG’s Workplace in April 2018.
Newport Cops responded to the restaurant at about 9:51 p.m. final Thursday for a report of an “unwanted party,” in line with an incident report, which indicated alcohol was concerned.
Footage captures an officer getting out of his cruiser, with Flanagan repeatedly ordering him to show off his physique cam. “Protocol is that you turn it off if a citizen requests to turn it off,” Flanagan mentioned.
The Windfall Journal reported that, in line with division protocol, Newport officers can flip off physique cameras if a witness or sufferer requests it and the scene is non-confrontational.
“She’s a lawyer,” Flanagan’s good friend, Veronica Hannan, 34, is heard saying on the bodycam. “She’s a f***ing lawyer, so she knows.”
“Well, that’s (expletive) lawyer stuff, so that’s not true,” an officer responded. “So we’ve got to go.”
“I’m an AG,” Flanagan fired again. “I’m an AG.”
“Good for you. I don’t give a s***,” the officer replied. “Let’s go. We’re going.”
Hannan additionally faces costs of disorderly conduct, willful trespassing, and resisting arrest, in line with Newport police.
The Rhode Island AG’s Workplace mentioned it “immediately began a review of the incident,” which it anticipates to be accomplished by the tip of this week.
Neronha informed WPRO that an apology from Flanagan to the Newport police division is “well underway,” and she is going to “take responsibility for her conduct.” He added suspension with out pay is an choice if he decides to maintain her on the job.
“She knows better,” the AG mentioned. “I’ve got 110 lawyers. She embarrassed all of them, in a sense.”
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