Lewiston City Councilman Iman Osman resigns after felony charge

An elected Somali Maine alderman resigned days after taking office following his felony indictment and an investigation into his residency in the district he served, according to local reports.

Iman Osman, who served as a Lewiston city councilman, wrote in a resignation letter sent to Lewiston Mayor Carl Sheline and City Council President David Chittim that he did not make this decision lightly: WMTW-TV reported.

“For the sake of our community and in the best interest of our city, I believe it is time for me to step down,” Osman wrote in the letter. “I hope my resignation serves as a call to action for those who remain — an opportunity to reflect on the values ​​of respect, inclusion and kindness that should guide our public service.

Osman’s resignation comes after a grand jury indicted him on Dec. 1 on charges stemming from the alleged theft of two firearms between Nov. 15, 2023, and Oct. 11, 2024, according to the outlet.

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Iman Osman resigned from his Ward 5 City Council seat in Lewiston, Maine, following accusations of theft and criticism of his residency in the district where he served. (Iman Osman/Facebook)

Osman pleaded not guilty during his arraignment in Lewiston District Court on Tuesday, Maine Public Reported.

Osman also faced scrutiny over his residence, which was listed in the indictment as a condemned address since October 2024, according to reports.

The Lewiston, Maine town sign is seen with a heart on October 27, 2023. (ANGELA WEISS/AFP via Getty Images)

Monday, the Lewiston City Council voted 6-1 to have Osman investigated over his residence. Osman was the only one to vote against the investigation.

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Osman claimed in his letter that he had faced “racist opposition” during his tenure. city ​​council campaign and was bombarded with “vicious personal attacks” while in office.

A heart is stuck on the Lewiston sign at Veterans Memorial Park in Lewiston, Maine, November 1, 2023. (Craig F. Walker/The Boston Globe via Getty Images)

Osman’s lawyer, Kiernan Majerus-Collins, told WMTW he believes national rhetoric on the Somali community triggered an increase in backlash against Osman.

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“The Trump administration’s targeting of Somalis and Somali Americans across the country certainly played a role in generating the kind of hatred and threats of violence that ultimately forced him to conclude that he could no longer hold public office at this time,” he said.