LEWISTON – A caseworker assigned to the city general assistance office has been charged with using the power of his office to solicit sex from a local woman.

Abdiaziz Ali, 34, of 27 Flanders St., Auburn, was summoned on misdemeanor charges of engaging a prostitute and official oppression.

Police say Ali, who also serves as a liaison for the Somali community, pressured a local woman to have sex with him by promising her reduced rent. He has been placed on paid administrative leave while the city investigates the charges against him.

Detectives assigned to the case secretly recorded conversations between Ali and the woman before charges were filed, police said.

“We received a complaint from a female who stated that Ali had offered some benefits to her in exchange for committing a sexual act,” said Lewiston police Chief William Welch. “We set up something of a sting and recorded the conversation. We needed to verify what the woman was telling us.”

According to Maine law, the charge of engaging a prostitute alleges that a person offers money or other benefits in exchange for sex. The woman who complained to police about Ali is not a prostitute, investigators said.

The woman went to police on Aug. 12 to complain about Ali’s offers, Welch said. For several days, police investigated the matter and then discussed the case with the District Attorney’s Office.

On Wednesday, Ali was summoned on the two charges. Official oppression is a charge that targets public servants accused of committing illegal acts by using the power of their offices, according to Maine law.

Police said Ali tried to entice the woman to have sex with him on more than one occasion by offering her city benefits he controlled.

“She told us she was being pressured,” Welch said.

Since spring 2001, Ali has been employed by the city’s Office of General Assistance. He has served as both translator and case manager. Part of Ali’s job involves helping Somali and other non-English speaking refuges to find homes and jobs.

In addition to his city job, Ali has also served as an unofficial liaison between the Somali community and the media. Reporters working on Somali issues often called him first as they sought to make contacts or get comments.

Assistant City Manager Phil Nadeau on Wednesday said Ali was placed on administrative leave on Aug. 13. However, citing personnel policies, he could not discuss details of the case.

Ali could not be reached for comment Wednesday night.

The father of five children, Ali came to Lewiston from Atlanta in April 2001.

He is expected to appear in court later this year.