A Week After Arrest of AG in Newport, Neronha Puts Her on Leave

A Week After Arrest of AG in Newport, Neronha Puts Her on Leave

 

On Monday, GoLocal was first to broadcast the body camera footage of Rhode Island Assistant Attorney General Devon Hogan "berating" Newport Police Officers and repeatedly refusing to leave the Clarke Cooke House.

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After GoLocal broke the video, the story went global and became a major embarrassment for Rhode Island Attorney General Peter Neronha.

 

Neronha repeatedly refused to answer questions from GoLocal about the incident, but now, more than a week after the arrest of Hogan, his office told WPRI that she has been placed on leave. Reportedly, she will be unpaid during this period.

 

Hogan is paid $113,921.08, according to state records.

 

It is also reported in a Newport police report that, beyond her abuse caught on camera, she was repeatedly abusive and berated officers at the Newport Police station.

 

 

 

As GoLocal unveiled earlier this week, this is not the first controversy involving one of Neronha’s prosecutors.

 

 

Not the First Incident Under Neronha, and It Paid Off

In July of 2022, GoLocal unveiled that another prosecutor in Neronha’s office was pulled over and charged with suspicion of driving under the influence and refusal to submit to a breathalyzer test.

“The Attorney General takes these allegations extremely seriously. The Office has a zero-tolerance policy for drunk and impaired driving by its employees,” said Brian Hodge, then the spokesperson for Neronha’s office.

That prosecutor was Special Assistant Attorney General Edward Mullaney, who resigned and was later rehired by Neronha.

Not only was Mullaney rehired, but he also received a raise.

In the year prior to being charged and resigning, Mullaney earned total compensation of $90,894.69, according to state records. Mullaney's pay was bumped to $116,814.10 — a 28% pay increase.

At the time of his arrest, Barrington Police said Mullaney was slurring his speech and confused about which town he was driving in.

Ultimately, Mullaney pleaded guilty to a civil violation and was sentenced to a 30-day license suspension. He was also required for four months to use an ignition interlock system, an alcohol education program, DWI treatment, and 10 hours of community service.