Maine Council Member Resigns After Nonprofit Received Mass Shooting Victim Funds

Nonprofit Misappropriation of Victim Funds

• 🎯 A NewsNation investigation revealed that a nonprofit run by Lewiston City Council member Iman Ozman received funds intended for mass shooting victims.
• 💰 Ozman's nonprofit, the Lewiston Auburn Youth Network, received $65,000 from the Lewiston Victims Fund.
• ⚠️ This occurred despite donors being told 100% of the raised money would go to survivors and their families.

Victim Fund Allocation Discrepancies

• 📉 Of the over $6 million raised for victims of the Lewiston mass shooting, approximately 30% ($1.9 million) was allocated to nonprofits instead of directly to victims and families.
• 🔍 At least nine of these nonprofits were immigrant-focused, with at least seven having Somali ties.
• 💔 Survivors like Jennifer Zena, who was shot twice, received only $32,000 for surgeries, while struggling with a $93,000 hospital bill.

Council Member's Background and Resignation

• 🚨 Iman Ozman, a Somali refugee and newly sworn-in city councilor, resigned less than 24 hours after the NewsNation report aired.
• ⚖️ Ozman is also facing two felony gun charges, to which he has pleaded not guilty.
• 🏠 Furthermore, he reportedly used a condemned chicken restaurant as his address when running for city council.

Ongoing Investigation and Community Impact

• ⚡ The revelations have sent shockwaves through the community, prompting an emergency city council meeting to address the situation.
• 🗣️ The investigation highlights concerns about the allocation of funds raised in the wake of a national tragedy and the integrity of local officials.