A top Rhode Island Democrat is now facing a suspension without pay after a wild night out went horribly wrong—and the footage went viral.
Devon Flanagan Hogan, a Special Assistant Attorney General, was caught on police body cameras acting erratically during an arrest that’s grabbed national attention.
The Night That Sparked the Backlash
The incident took place at the upscale Clarke Cooke House restaurant in Newport, Rhode Island.
Police say Hogan, out with a friend identified as Veronica Hannan, refused to leave the premises and became confrontational with officers called to handle the situation.
Video footage shows Hogan repeatedly referencing her position as an attorney general while trying to avoid being handcuffed.
“I’m an AG. I’m an AG. What are your probable cause to detain me for?” she can be heard saying.
“You’re going to regret this. You’re going to regret it.”
Hannan can also be heard insisting, “She’s a lawyer,” while Hogan demanded that officers turn off their body cameras.
Attorney General Responds
Rhode Island Attorney General Peter Neronha confirmed that Hogan’s behavior would have consequences.
Speaking to WPRO radio, Neronha described the incident as embarrassing and humiliating, not just for Hogan but for the Attorney General’s Office as a whole.
“She embarrassed herself, humiliated herself, treated the Newport Police Department horribly,” Neronha said.
“She’s really remorseful. She takes responsibility.”
The AG revealed he had Hogan watch the body camera footage, which quickly spread online, and confirmed that a suspension without pay will be enforced.
Body Camera Footage Tells the Story
The video released by police shows Hogan repeatedly refusing to comply with lawful orders and attempting to leverage her title to avoid arrest.
Restaurant staff reportedly asked officers to remove both women after they refused to leave.
According to Newport Police statements obtained by GoLocalProv.com:
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Hogan was “extremely uncooperative, berating officers”
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She repeatedly invoked her position as an AG while refusing instructions
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Officers eventually secured her in handcuffs after multiple warnings
The Fallout
Hogan has worked as a Special Assistant Attorney General since April 2018, a role she has held for over seven years.
Her LinkedIn profile has since been taken down following the widespread coverage of the arrest.
AG Neronha said the incident has embarrassed the office’s 110 lawyers and emphasized that Hogan will have a long road to repair her reputation.
“Regardless of what happens with her employment, she’s going to have a long time coming back from this.
It’s just really unfortunate,” Neronha stated.
What Happens Next
With the suspension without pay confirmed, Hogan now faces both professional and public scrutiny.
The viral video has served as a stark reminder that even high-ranking officials are not above the law, and her actions have triggered conversations about accountability in government offices.
