Charges Dismissed Against Social Host Mom, MADD Rejects $5,000 Donation

The North Kingstown mother and corporate lawyer who was charged with violating the state's social host laws for an underage drinking party at her house got her charges dismissed in court on Tuesday in exchange for donating $5,000 to Mothers Against Drunk Driving.

But MADD said late Tuesday night that they would refuse the donation under the circumstances.

The organization said in a release that "as much as we’d like to use the money to educate parents about the dangers of underage drinking, it’s not right for us to accept money under these conditions.”

Donegan's lawyer, William Deveraux, said in response that the judge mandated the donation and it really is up to MADD to accept or reject the donation. Since MADD is rejecting the donation, he said he'd ask the town prosecutor about other places that might accept the donation.

Donegan was accused of hosting more than 100 teens at her house on Wilbert Way after police responded to the house fore reports of teenagers running through the neighborhood and urinating on lawns. Inside the house, police found two girls who were heavily intoxicated and had to be transported to the hospital.

Donegan reportedly tried to slam the door on an officer and was uncooperative.

Most of the teens were there for her daughter's 16th birthday party, according to a Police Report, and was attended by mostly East Greenwich children.

Donegan pleaded not guilty to a charge of procuring alcohol for minors and simple assault for the door-slamming incident.

In a statement, Deveraux said after the plea deal was announced that Donegan is happy the case is behind her and appreciated the support of her friends and family.

The Providence Journal reported that North Kingstown Police Chief Thomas Mulligan said that he thought the disposition was "appropriate" considering she had a clean record before the arrest and said she didn't get preferential treatment.