A downtown Lewiston apartment building that was condemned more than a year ago is at the center of renewed controversy surrounding a local political candidate whose official address is listed there.
According to internal city emails obtained by The Maine Wire, City Clerk Kathy Montejo raised concerns on Oct. 27 about whether School Committee member and City Council candidate Iman Osman is eligible to hold office or remain on the ballot. Montejo wrote that 210 Blake Street — the address on Osman’s voter registration, school committee record, and ballot filing — was condemned by city code enforcement on Oct. 16, 2024, and does not currently have a certificate of occupancy.
Montejo’s email, sent to several city officials and the city attorney, stated that “no one can reside in the building as of Oct. 2024.” Despite this, Osman’s notarized statement of residency, signed in June 2025, still lists 210 Blake Street as his legal residence.
Osman, who was sworn into the Lewiston School Committee in December 2024, is also a candidate in the upcoming municipal election for Ward 5, where 210 Blake Street is located. If he does not in fact legally reside there, his ability to represent the ward becomes dubious. The city clerk’s office said it is reviewing questions about his eligibility both as a candidate and as a current officeholder.
The address has also drawn attention from law enforcement. In October 2024, federal agents arrested Muktar Abshir “Mo” Aden, 25, at 210 Blake Street on a charge of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, according to Homeland Security Investigations. Several individuals were detained at the scene, though authorities have not released further details. The case remains under investigation by federal and state agencies.
When The Maine Wire visited the Blake Street building recently, the apartment appeared vacant with no visible signs of occupancy.
Osman is the founder and executive director of the Lewiston Auburn Youth Network, a nonprofit promoting youth engagement.
The other candidate in the Ward 5 race, the incumbent Eryn Michelle Soule LeClair of 26 Newman Street, is also running to retain her seat.
When a Maine Wire reporter visited Osman’s office seeking comment, a staff member said he was “busy.” The reporter left contact information, but Osman has not responded.
The property at 210 Blake Street — condemned for more than a year — remains at the center of the ongoing questions about Osman’s eligibility and the broader scrutiny of the building’s use and occupancy. Whether this affects his current standing on the Lewiston School Committee and impacts his eligibility for election on Tuesday November 4th remains to seen as the countdown nears day four.
From: Kathy Montejo <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, October 27, 2025 10:42 AM
To: Martin I. Eisenstein <[email protected]>; Brian O’Malley <[email protected]>; Bryan Kaenrath <[email protected]>; Jonathan Connor <[email protected]>
Subject: Candidate residency question
Marty –
The attached materials are from Code Enforcement and the last page is from my office. Jon Connor confirmed that Code condemned 210 Blake St on Oct 16, 2024. See page 2 with the arrow. Jon said that they have submitted a building permit but do not have a Cert of Occupancy yet and that no one can reside in the building as of Oct 2024.
Iman Osman is a current School Comm member from Ward 5. He was sworn in 12-23-24 with the 210 Blake St address which is his voter registration address.
He is also on the ballot for next week as a candidate for Ward 5. The ballot lists his name and 210 Blake St.
The last page of the attached his notarized statement of residency and is dated June 2025.
We have questions about his eligibility to continued as a candidate as well as a school comm member.
Thanks – Kathy
Kathleen M. Montejo, MMC, CCM, RP
CITY CLERK & REGISTRAR OF VOTERS
Lewiston City Hall
27 Pine Street, Lewiston, ME 04240-7242
(207) 513-3124 phone (207) 777-4621 FAX
Editors Note: The original version of this story mistakenly reported than Iman Osman had previously faced domestic violence charges. He has not. Those charges belong to a different Lewiston man with a similar name. We regret the error.
