Iman Osman, 36, who was elected in November to represent Ward 5 on the Lewiston City Council, was indicted Wednesday on two counts involving the alleged theft of two firearms between November 2023 and October 2024.
The charges compound an already volatile situation surrounding whether Osman legally resides in the ward he is set to represent.
Condemned Blake Street Building at Center of Residency Dispute
Osman’s voter registration and candidate affidavit both list 210 Blake Street as his residence, a building that was condemned in October 2024 following a police drug raid. The structure was stripped of its certificate of occupancy and declared uninhabitable, making it unclear whether Osman could have legally lived there during his campaign.
City Clerk Kathy Montejo formally requested clarification on Osman’s residency in November, citing the building’s condemned status. To date, Osman has not publicly disclosed any updated address.
Although the property has shown recent permitting activity, there is no publicly confirmed timeline indicating when it may again be legally occupied.
School Committee Meeting Erupts Over Residency Questions
The controversy escalated during a tense Lewiston School Committee meeting on December 1, where members of the public pressed for answers on where Osman lives and whether he is eligible to serve.
Osman previously voted against launching a School Committee investigation into his own residency during a November meeting. That vote was narrowly rejected, and his participation in the vote drew criticism from several community members and school officials.
During the December 1 meeting, this reporter asked Osman whether he lives in Ward 5 and at what address. Osman acknowledged living in the ward but declined to provide an address, with his attorney intervening before further questioning. The exchange intensified concerns from residents who argue the committee should revisit its decision not to investigate.
Indictment Deepens Uncertainty Ahead of Swearing-In
The criminal indictment adds a new layer of uncertainty as Osman approaches his scheduled swearing-in early next year. Under state law and city charter provisions, officials have indicated there is no mechanism allowing the city to remove a councilor-elect prior to taking office.
Local residents have signaled they are preparing to challenge Osman’s qualifications through statutory channels once he is sworn in, particularly if he continues to refuse to disclose a lawful address in Ward 5.
A Community Demanding Answers
Between the unresolved residency dispute, the School Committee’s refusal to investigate, and now a felony indictment, Lewiston finds itself mired in an escalating governance crisis.
As Osman prepares to assume his City Council seat, many residents of Ward 5 say their central concern remains the same: whether they are being represented by someone who legally resides in the community he is elected to serve.
This is an ongoing story and we will work to provide additional updates
