Lewiston councilor, also a legislative candidate, scrutinized over allegations from former tenant
Lewiston City Council Faces Turmoil as Councilor Scott Harriman Is Accused of Misconduct
Lewiston, Maine – October 6, 2026 – A heated debate erupted at Lewiston City Hall Tuesday evening as residents staged a protest outside the courthouse, demanding that Ward 3 Councilor Scott Harriman resign amid allegations of inappropriate conduct with a former tenant. The confrontation unfolded inside the council chambers during a public‑comment period that was punctuated by both supporters and critics of the councilor, as the town’s political climate comes under scrutiny just weeks before the November 3 election for the state legislature.
Allegations and Harriman’s Response
The accusations stem from a story posted by the Maine Wire, a right‑wing news platform run by the Maine Policy Institute. A former tenant of Harriman’s apartment, who has chosen to remain anonymous, said she experienced “inappropriate contact” while living in the property. The tenant was interviewed by the Maine Wire, but no police complaint has been filed in Lewiston with regard to the matter.
Harriman, who also serves as the state representative for Lewiston’s House District 94 and is campaigning for a seat in Augusta, has denied the claims. “None of these allegations are true,” he wrote on Facebook. “I had to evict the tenant last year because she was a danger to other tenants, failed to pay rent, damaged the property, and broke into other tenants’ mailboxes.” In a separate post, Harriman accused the Maine Wire of conspiring with Maine Republicans to undermine his campaign, citing a “conspiracy” that would help his legislative opponent, Janet Beaudoin, win the seat.
To counter the allegations, Harriman released surveillance footage in which an employee of the Maine Wire, Jon Fetherston, is seen speaking on a phone. In one clip, Fetherston appears to discuss a statement from the Maine Republican Party and the potential impact of the story on Harriman’s election. Another clip shows Fetherston talking with an unnamed colleague about the video, hinting at a broader political agenda.
Public Outcry and Calls for Resignation
Around a dozen residents gathered outside City Hall in a display of civic engagement. Among them were Ray Toutain and Renee Fortin, both of whom cited Harriman’s three previous censures as evidence of a pattern of misconduct. “He shouldn’t be on any board… if this is true, which I believe it is, it’s time for him to sit down,” Toutain said. Fortin added, “I believe that after a person’s been censured three times and he continues to be shady, it’s time for him to be voted out. This is not a good look for Lewiston.”
The protest spilled into the council chambers during the public‑comment segment, which lasted about an hour. Mayor Carl Sheline repeatedly called for order, and an attendee was escorted out after the debate heated up. The comments ranged from demands for Harriman’s resignation to calls for a thorough independent investigation. A few participants, however, defended the councilor’s record, describing him as responsive to constituents and an advocate for vulnerable residents.
Councilor Susan Longchamps Speaks on the Allegations
Ward 2 Councilor Susan Longchamps addressed the council regarding her personal relationship with the accuser. She said she had kept the tenant’s story confidential and was unaware of a June email sent by mayoral candidate Charles Soule to various officials, including the police chief and the mayor, detailing the alleged experience. “Had I known these concerns had already been reported, this discussion would have happened months ago,” Longchamps told the council. She emphasized that her involvement in the story was purely as a friend
