LEWISTON – Saying it was the best thing for Lewiston’s immigrant population, Abdiaziz Ali resigned from his job as a General Assistance caseworker Friday.

Ali had been on paid administrative leave since August, when he was accused of using his job to solicit sex. Police say Ali, 34, who also served as a liaison for the Somali community, pressured a local woman to have sex with him by promising her reduced rent.

Ali delivered a two-sentence resignation to City Administrator Jim Bennett’s office Friday.

“I did it because it is in the best interest for the immigrant population,” Ali said. He refused to elaborate, however, and declined further comment.

Ali’s resignation ended the city’s internal investigation of the allegations, Bennett said. He received a report this week, but said he had no plan to release it.

“In the end, the report itself was personnel information, and protected by law,” Bennett said. “We would have only issued a letter for findings. But we no longer need to do that.”

The criminal investigation is ongoing.

Ali joined the city in May 2001, acting as a General Assistance caseworker and occasional Somali interpreter. As a caseworker, he helped people get housing, food and medical assistance.

Police secretly recorded Ali after the woman alleged he promised her reduced rent in exchange for sex. He was issued a summons in August on charges of engaging a prostitute and official oppression.

Official oppression is a charge that targets public servants accused of committing illegal acts by using the power of their office, according to Maine law. Engaging a prostitute alleges that a person offers money or other benefits in exchange for sex. Police say the woman who complained to them about Ali is not a prostitute.