LEWISTON – The city will begin an investigation of its own into a general assistance caseworker accused of using his position to solicit sex from a local woman.

City Administrator Jim Bennett said he expects a report next week on the alleged actions of Abdiaziz Ali, 34, a city caseworker and Somali interpreter since May 2001. Ali was issued a summons last week on charges of engaging a prostitute and official oppression.

“Make no bones about it: If those allegations end up being proved factual, this office will terminate his employment immediately,” Bennett said.

Assistant City Administrator Phil Nadeau will lead the investigation, Bennett said. He expects a report from Nadeau within a week.

“Clearly, we cannot get into information that is part of the police investigation,” Bennett said. “But this is something that was alleged to have occurred during work hours and using the authority of his office.”

Ali has been placed on paid administrative leave while the city investigates the charges against him.

“We don’t need a conviction to justify that the actions alleged are unacceptable,” Bennett said. “I don’t see any reason to leave him on paid leave for nine to 10 months. That would be irresponsible to the city and to the taxpayers.”

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

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.

Official oppression is a charge that targets public servants accused of committing illegal acts by using the power of his or her office, according to Maine law.

Bennett said similar allegations had been made about Ali in the past, but none could be proved.

“Allegations without proof are a dime a dozen in public service,” Bennett said. “When we hear allegations we look into them and if they can’t be proven, we move on. In this case, nobody was willing to come forward. There was nothing more we could do.”