Assistant Attorney General placed on six months of unpaid leave after Newport arrest

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE)– Rhode Island Assistant Attorney General Devon Flanagan has officially been placed on six months of unpaid leave on Monday, according to the Attorney General’s office.

Flanagan was arrested outside of the Clarke Cooke House in downtown Newport on Aug. 14 after she and a friend were repeatedly asked to leave the restaurant 13 times, Newport police said.

She faces charges of trespassing, disorderly conduct and resisting arrest.

Flanagan works in the AG’s office of the Appellate Unit of the Criminal Division.

In a statement, Attorney General Peter Neronha said that Flanagan had embarrassed the office and displayed unacceptable behavior in the video of the arrest.

“We hold our attorneys to the highest personal and professional standards, and Ms. Flanagan plainly did not meet those standards here,” Neronha said. “I sincerely hope she takes this time to reflect on the seriousness of her conduct and makes corrective changes in her life. She has a long road ahead of her, but I believe that in the long run, our worst moments can inspire us to become better people.”