Four members of the Lewiston School Committee on Thursday called for Ward 5 representative Iman Osman to resign following his indictment on stolen gun charges, adding to mounting pressure now echoed by the city’s mayor.
The statement, signed by committee members Janet Beaudoin (Ward 2), Craig Charpentier (Ward 4), Meghan Hird (Ward 6), and Donna Gallant (Ward 7) — said Osman’s indictment makes his continued service untenable at a time when Lewiston is confronting rising gun violence, school disruptions, and strained community resources.
“With the federal indictment now public, it’s clear that Iman Osman must resign,” the members wrote. “Our city is already facing real, serious issues including gun violence, constant disruptions in our schools, and a community stretched thin. The last thing Lewiston needs is a school committee member facing stolen gun charges pulling us into the national spotlight for all the wrong reasons.”
Osman, also elected last month to the Lewiston City Council, is scheduled to be sworn in early January 2026.
On Thursday, Mayor Carl Sheline publicly urged Osman to resign from that incoming council seat, marking the first time the mayor has formally called for his departure from elected office.
The committee members said in a statement that their call is rooted in concerns about integrity and public trust.
“If we as leaders will not take a firm stand against this kind of behavior, how can we expect our students to do any differently?” they wrote. “Our community deserves a school committee that leads by example, not one that ignores conduct that undermines public trust.”
They also criticized five school committee members who previously blocked an investigation into Osman’s residency, saying the vote placed them “on the wrong side of truth and transparency.”
“For the sake of our schools, our families, and the reputation of this city, the Ward 5 representative needs to step down so we can begin restoring public confidence and refocusing on the safety and well-being of our students,” the statement said.
Osman has not publicly responded to the renewed calls for his resignation.
