The City of Lewiston officially swore in Iman Osman as one of the four new members of the City Council Monday night, even as he faces active criminal charges and ongoing investigations into residency and potential fraud.
Earlier this week, Osman, a Somali migrant and community leader, was sworn in as the Ward 5 Councilor despite facing two felony charges related to stolen property, including the unauthorized taking and receiving of stolen firearms from two estates.
The Gateway Pundit previously reported that, according to court documents obtained by WMTW, the alleged crimes involve weapons taken from two separate estates between November 15, 2023, and October 11, 2024.
The indictment accuses Osman of knowingly receiving, retaining, or disposing of firearms or explosive devices that he knew, or had reason to believe, were stolen.
A separate count alleges Osman unlawfully exercised control over firearms belonging to a second estate.
“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 told WMTW.
Osman’s attorney has stated that he intends to fight the charges and will not resign his seat.
But the indictment is only part of the controversy surrounding Osman.
His residency has been under intense scrutiny.
In the indictment, Osman lists his address as 210 Blake Street in Lewiston, a property that has been condemned since October 2024 following a drug raid and the use of chemical agents described as “a deterrent for humans.”
In other words, the address used by the councilor-elect is legally uninhabitable.
Despite the seriousness of the allegations, the Lewiston School Committee declined to investigate Osman’s residency claims.
However, in response to mounting public scrutiny, the Lewiston City Council voted 6-1 on Tuesday to hire an independent investigator to review Osman’s qualifications and whether he lawfully meets residency requirements for the seat he now holds.
HOLY SMOKES. The City of Lewiston, Maine just swore in Somali migrant Iman Osman into the Council despite ACTIVE FRAUD INVESTIGATIONS into him and charges for theft of a firearm
We are an occupied nation.
This guy should be deported IMMEDIATELY! ENOUGH! pic.twitter.com/5FaxcmnAlZ
— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) January 6, 2026
WGME reported:
The council voted 6-1 Monday night to hire an independent investigator, with Osman being the lone “No” vote.
[…]
With Monday night’s vote, the process has been started by the city attorney to hire an independent investigator, who will look into Osman’s qualifications to serve on the council.
According to a city memo, the council has requested the investigator have a report ready in time for their next meeting, which is January 20.
According to the city charter, the council has the authority to judge the qualifications of any of its members.
If a counselor is charged with lacking the necessary qualifications to serve, that member is entitled to a hearing.
From there, it takes a “Yes” vote from at least five members to remove a councilor from office.
The post You Can’t Make This Up: Lewiston, Maine Swears In Somali Refugee Despite Active Investigations and Criminal Charges appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.