The Lewiston City Council voted Monday to launch an independent investigation into newly sworn-in Ward 5 Councilor Iman Osman, who faces criminal charges and questions regarding his legal residency.
Osman, 36, was sworn in earlier that day but was immediately met with a 6-1 vote to examine whether he meets qualifications to serve, with Osman casting the sole dissenting vote.
Osman, a Somali refugee, was indicted in early December on charges of receiving, retaining or disposing of stolen firearms, including allegations tied to two separate estates between November 2023 and October 2024.
His legal team denies wrongdoing, and Osman has not publicly released his current residence, citing safety concerns.
The controversy stems from Osman’s use of a condemned mixed-use building owned by his brother as a listed address during his campaigns for the Lewiston School Committee and City Council.
According to the Sun Journal, the property has reportedly been uninhabitable since October 2024 due to chemical hazards and other safety concerns, raising questions about whether Osman legally resides in the ward he represents.
Mayor Carl Sheline, who previously nominated Osman to fill a School Committee vacancy, called for his resignation.
“While he is entitled to the presumption of innocence, the judicial process will be lengthy and this matter has become an unwelcome distraction from the essential business of governing. Stepping down would be the right thing to do,” Sheline said.
Council President David Chittim said the investigation aims to provide clarity on Osman’s eligibility and allow the council to focus on governance.
“We want to resolve this unwanted distraction as quickly as possible,” Chittim said.
A report from the investigation is expected in time for the council’s next meeting, at which point a hearing could be scheduled to determine Osman’s future on the council.
Public reaction was divided during Monday’s meeting. Some residents expressed concern over Osman’s criminal charges and residency issues, while others argued the scrutiny is tied to anti-Somali sentiment and unfair targeting.
“He won fair and square. He was elected because previous councilors in Ward 5 were not addressing downtown issues,” one supporter said.
Critics, however, stressed that accurate representation and trust in government require verification of residency.
The controversy has drawn additional tension from within the local Somali community.
According to social media posts, a community member named Mohammad warned that continued scrutiny of Osman could lead to a reevaluation of the Somali community’s support for the Democratic Party.
“We elected you to protect our community interest, not go after one elected member of our community. If this continues, we will be forced to reexamine our political relationship with the Democratic Party,” he told the council.
Osman’s attorney, Kiernan Majerus-Collins, argued that the ongoing investigation hampers his client’s ability to serve.
“It’s disappointing that the city has decided to continue to drag this out, continue to expend time and money, continue to create unnecessary controversy and impede his ability to do the job that he was elected to do,” Majerus-Collins said, according to The Blaze.
Under Lewiston’s City Charter, the council has the authority to judge a member’s qualifications and determine grounds for removal.
A hearing on disqualification requires the affirmative vote of at least five councilors, and the member in question cannot vote on the matter.
The investigation into Osman is expected to be a high-profile test of local governance, balancing the legal presumption of innocence with the public interest in representation and accountability.
The council’s findings could set a precedent for handling residency disputes and criminal charges involving elected officials.
