Lewiston is well within its rights to investigate the allegations against a city worker, who is accused of abusing his authority and is facing related criminal charges.

Abdiaziz Ali, 34, is a caseworker for the city. Criminal charges allege he used his position to solicit sex from a local woman. Ali was issued a summons on charges of official oppression and trying to coerce sex from a woman seeking city aid.

Ali was placed on paid administrative leave while the city investigates the charges against him. A city report is due this week.

Police say they have convincing evidence that Ali broke the law, including tape recordings. The city won’t have access to that evidence, but, according to City Administrator Jim Bennett, they don’t need a criminal conviction to discipline a city worker.

“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 the taxpayers,” Bennett said last week.

We agree. But there must be a high threshold for information that would lead to Ali’s firing.

Assistant City Administrator Phil Nadeau will lead the city’s investigation.

Ali has not been convicted of the allegations, and he should be considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. But it is important that the city take allegations of abuse of power seriously.

There should not be a rush to judgment. If Nadeau’s investigation can turn up convincing evidence for a job action, then Ali should not be kept on the city’s payroll. If there’s any doubt, however, the city will be left with no choice but to continue paying Ali until his criminal case is completed. To do otherwise would be to circumvent Ali’s right to the presumption of innocence.