FBI agents searched the home of a Los Angeles deputy mayor as part of
an investigation into a bomb threat made against City Hall, officials
said Wednesday.
The agents searched the home of Brian Williams, who is deputy mayor for
public safety, on Tuesday while looking into a bomb threat Williams
“allegedly made against City Hall earlier this year,” said Zach Seidl,
a spokesperson for Mayor Karen Bass.
In a separate statement, the Los Angeles Police Department identified
Williams as the “likely” source of the bomb threat.
“Earlier this year the LAPD responded to a bomb threat made against Los
Angeles City Hall,” the department’s statement said. “Our initial
investigation revealed that the source of the threat was likely from
Brian Williams, Deputy Mayor for Public Safety. Due to the Department’s
working relationship with Mr. Williams, the investigation was referred
to the FBI. The FBI remains the investigating agency.”
Williams has been placed on administrative leave, said Seidl, who
declined to provide additional details.
“The Mayor takes this matter very seriously,” he said. “When the threat
was reported, LAPD investigated and determined there was no immediate
danger. Following additional investigation, LAPD referred this matter
to the FBI for further investigation.”
Williams could not immediately be reached for comment.
FBI spokeswoman Laura Eimiller declined to comment, saying the agency
cannot confirm or deny any investigation.
Williams has spent nearly two years as a deputy mayor in Bass’ office,
working on issues such as police hiring, public safety spending and the
search for a new police chief. Before that, he held a variety of
government positions spanning more than three decades.
Williams was a deputy mayor in the administration of Mayor James K.
Hahn, who held office from 2001 to 2005. Before that, Williams spent
several years an assistant city attorney in Los Angeles.
From 2016 to 2023, Williams was the executive director of Los Angeles
County’s Sheriff Civilian Oversight Commission, according to his
LinkedIn page.
Working in Bass’ office, Williams oversaw the Police Department, the
Fire Department, port police, airport police and the city’s emergency
management agency, according to his hiring announcement.
