Iman Osman, a Somali-born community leader and newly elected member of the Lewiston City Council, has resigned from his Ward 5 seat just days after being sworn in. His abrupt departure follows a felony indictment related to alleged firearm theft and a separate investigation into whether he met residency requirements for the district he represented.
[read more]
Osman submitted his resignation fewer than 72 hours after taking office on January 5. He won the council seat in November by a narrow margin, defeating incumbent Eryn M. Soule-Leclair with 53 percent of the vote, a difference of just 35 ballots. Prior to his election, Osman served for one year on the Lewiston School Committee and currently leads the Lewiston Auburn Youth Network, a local nonprofit organization.
In his resignation letter, Osman said stepping aside was in the city’s best interest. “For the betterment of our community and in the best interest of our city, I believe it is time for me to step aside,” he wrote. He added that he hoped his resignation would prompt reflection on “the values of respect, inclusivity and kindness” in public service.
The resignation comes after a grand jury indicted Osman on charges connected to the alleged theft of two firearms between November 2023 and October 2024, according to local outlet WMTW. Osman pleaded not guilty during his initial court appearance earlier this week.
Separately, questions arose about his residency after the indictment listed an address that had been condemned since October 2024. On Monday, the Lewiston City Council voted 6–1 to open an investigation into his residency, with Osman casting the lone dissenting vote.
Osman has claimed that his campaign and time in office were marked by racist opposition and personal attacks. His attorney,
Kiernan Majerus-Collins, told WMTW that Osman was unfairly targeted amid heightened national scrutiny of Somali communities, arguing that political rhetoric and broader investigations elsewhere contributed to hostility that ultimately led Osman to resign.[/read]