Things are getting interesting in Lewiston, and fast.
The Maine Wire was physically present at Gateway Community Services when approximately 15 agents from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security arrived on scene. This was not a routine audit or scheduled review. Based on the agents’ actions and posture, it appeared they were prepared to execute a warrant and conduct a raid of the office.
That effort was halted only because the Gateway office was locked and inactive, a direct result of its funding having already been shut off amid escalating allegations of fraud and state action. The federal presence signals a significant escalation and suggests investigators are now moving well beyond paperwork reviews.
Homeland Security agents were also observed at 210 Blake Street, a location now central to a separate but related controversy involving Iman Osman.
On Monday night, the Lewiston City Council is scheduled to debate whether to open an investigation into whether Iman Osman falsely claimed 210 Blake Street as his residence. But that discussion may already be moot.
Federal authorities are clearly active, and sources familiar with the situation indicate Homeland Security already has clarity on the residency question. The evidence points to the address having been falsely claimed. If city officials believe they are getting ahead of the issue, they are not. They are a day late and a dollar short.
Now questions are being raised about the validity of the signatures Osman submitted to run for councilor. A picture speaks a thousand words.
Wednesday at 8:30 A.M. Iman Osman, the new Lewiston City Councilor will appear in court to answer questions about his indictment on stolen gun charges. Yikes!
Last week, this reporter visited multiple non profits in Lewiston, that received Lewiston Shooting Victim Funds, even though none of them were directly affected by the tragic shootings. No one will say what they did with the money. No one. Yet, some say it was racist for me to ask. Was it?
Just answer the simple question, what did you do with the money?
Pulling the race card only proves you have something to hide.
Meanwhile, another disturbing case in Lewiston continues to raise unanswered questions.
Residents will remember the incident involving a bus transporting a special-needs student that went missing for nearly six hours after departing Fryeburg, only to later surface on Bartlett Street in Lewiston. Law enforcement has offered little public explanation, but sources say there is far more to the story ,much more, than has been disclosed. Both local and state police have been notably slow to address the matter. The Maine Wire is digging.
At the same time, unresolved questions surrounding EBT and SNAP fraud continue to linger. Officials and service providers in Lewiston have largely declined to discuss the issue publicly. The silence has only fueled concerns that the scope of the problem may be far more serious than acknowledged.
That silence may also explain another recent incident.
A few weeks ago, The Maine Wire was removed from the Agora Palace Event Center at an event to “support the Somali community” event in Lewiston. The reason was straightforward: we were asking questions about Gateway, about public funding, about residency claims, and about fraud. Secretary of State and Candidate for Governor, Shenna Bellows and U.S. Senate candidate Graham Platner were there, just earlier marching shoulder to shoulder with Osman. So, they support him and his actions, but not the media doing their job? Got it!
Event organizers knew exactly why we were there. And they knew exactly what we are closing in on.
Now, with federal agents on the ground, those unanswered questions are no longer confined to local public meetings or press inquiries. They are being pursued by the power of Congress, investigators with badges, warrants, and subpoena power.
The Grace Curley Show, the Howie Carr show, the WGAN Morning News, the George Hale and Ric Tyler show are discussing all of this on their airwaves.
The Maine Republican leadership wants answers and are requesting State Rep. Deqa Delhac to step down from the House Appropriations committee.
https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=25373375452347203
Fox News, NewsMax and NewsNation are hosting Maine Wire staff to discuss. Yet, where is the main stream legacy Maine media reporting, other than being forced to acknowledge what Steve Robinson reported nine months ago. Amazing what a “non credentialed bad actor blogger” has been able to accomplish, right Shenna?
https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=878418318040162
With all of this, where is Governor Janet Mills?! Her silence, speaks very loudly.
And for those hoping this story quietly disappears, it won’t.
This is only the beginning.
