LEWISTON, Maine — Just days after being sworn into office, Lewiston City Councilor Iman Osman stood before a judge Wednesday morning to answer to criminal charges involving a stolen firearm, showing up to court in sweatpants as the political crisis surrounding his election continues to intensify.
Osman pleaded not guilty in Lewiston District Court to one count of receiving stolen property and one count of theft by unauthorized taking of a gun.
Observers in the courtroom said Osman appeared smug as he stood before the bench. During the hearing, the judge asked Osman if he required an interpreter. He declined.
Osman was represented by attorney Andrew Emerson, who replaced Kiernan Majerus Collins, the lawyer who appeared with him earlier this week at his swearing-in ceremony and the City Council Executive Session. Court officials said Emerson is affiliated with the law firm of Allan Labozzo.
The judge released Osman on personal recognizance and ordered that he be subject to random compliance checks. The court also issued stay-away orders barring Osman from any contact with Leroy Sott and Mowlid Gurre.
Osman’s next court appearance is scheduled for March 9 at 1:00 p.m.
The criminal charges are now colliding with growing political fallout at City Hall. Lewiston Mayor Karl Sheline and City Councilor Susan Longchamps have both publicly demanded Osman’s resignation. Calls for him to step down have continued to grow in the days since, with mounting pressure from residents and city officials.
At the same time, Osman is now the subject of a formal city investigation into whether he is even legally qualified to hold office.
Osman has listed 210 Blake Street as his residence, a building that was condemned following a federal raid in October 2024. Sources have confirmed Osman was staying at the property at the time of that raid. Despite the building’s condemned status, Osman has refused to publicly clarify where he currently lives.
On Monday night, the Lewiston City Council voted 6–1 to hire an independent investigator to review Osman’s residency and determine whether he meets the requirements under the city charter to serve. The charter gives the council the authority to judge the qualifications of its members and to hold a hearing that could result in removal from office.
City officials have requested a full investigative report in time for the council’s next meeting on Jan. 20.
With a criminal case moving forward, court-ordered supervision in place, and an active investigation into his eligibility to serve, Lewiston now finds itself with a sitting city councilor charged in a stolen gun case, tied to a condemned property raided by federal authorities, under growing calls to resign, and still refusing to provide a clear answer about where he lives.
On Monday night, the Lewiston City Council voted 6–1 to hire an independent investigator to review Osman’s residency” Errrr, Ummm, was Osman the sole vote NOT to hire an independent investigator? If so, why should the City Council even allow him to vote on a matter concerning is own eligibility to be on the City Council? (Please accept my apologies if this appears to be a Racist question.)