Former Deputy Mayor of Public Safety Faces Charges for False Bomb Threat Against Los Angeles City Hall

Former Deputy Mayor of Public Safety Faces Charges for False Bomb Threat Against Los Angeles City Hall

A significant case has unfolded involving Brian Williams, the former deputy mayor of public safety for Los Angeles. In a startling admission, Williams has agreed to plead guilty to charges related to a bomb threat hoax aimed at City Hall, as confirmed by the Justice Department.

Williams, aged 61 and a Pasadena resident, is facing a single count of threats involving fire and explosives. This serious offense could lead to a prison sentence of up to 10 years.

Public Safety and Accountability in Local Government

U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli responded to the incident by stressing the importance of accountability among public officials. Essayli emphasized that in a climate of intense political rhetoric, it is crucial to prevent any individual from making threats that could instigate fear and unrest.

“In an era of heated political rhetoric that has sometimes escalated into violence, we cannot allow public officials to make bomb threats,” he stated. “My office will continue its efforts to keep the public safe, including from those who violate their duty to uphold the law.”

Details of the Threat

The disturbing incident took place on October 3, 2024, during a virtual meeting involving Williams and various city officials. During this meeting, Williams utilized the Google Voice application on his personal mobile device to place a call to his city-issued cellphone.

After leaving the meeting abruptly, he contacted the chief of staff of the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) and falsely claimed that he had received a threatening call regarding a bomb at City Hall. According to federal prosecutors, this call was entirely fabricated.

Fabrication Unraveled

Ten minutes later, Williams escalated the situation by sending a text message to Mayor Karen Bass and several key officials within her office. He asserted that he received a bomb threat from an unidentified male caller, expressing a grievance over the city’s support of Israel. Williams wrote, “The male caller stated that he was tired of the city support of Israel, and he has decided to place a bomb in City Hall. It might be in the rotunda.” He continued by assuring them that LAPD would be mobilizing to investigate the matter.

Investigators quickly uncovered that no actual call had been made to Williams. Instead, he invented the threat himself, as FBI officials noted that he never intended to follow through with any action.

Law Enforcement Response

Following the report, the LAPD promptly conducted a search of City Hall for any suspicious devices. Fortunately, no bomb or other dangerous items were discovered during their extensive sweep of the area.

Williams initially described the supposed threatening call in detail to police and showed them an incoming call log on his city-issued phone, which appeared as a blocked number. Upon closer inspection, authorities determined that this was a record of the call he had placed to himself using the Google Voice application.

Communications with Officials

In subsequent communications, Williams indicated that there was no immediate need to evacuate City Hall. He assured officials saying, “I’m meeting with the threat management officers within the next 10 minutes.” He further noted the significance of Jewish holidays in relation to the perceived threat, highlighting that they would take this situation seriously.

Akil Davis, the assistant director in charge of the FBI’s Los Angeles field office, condemned Williams’ actions. Davis remarked, “Mr. Williams, the former deputy mayor of Public Safety for Los Angeles, not only betrayed the residents of Los Angeles, but responding officers, and the integrity of the office itself, by fabricating a bomb threat. Government officials are held to a heightened standard as we rely on them to safeguard the city. I’m relieved that Mr. Williams has taken responsibility for his inexplicable actions.”

Legal Proceedings and Next Steps

As the case progresses, Williams is expected to appear in court in the coming weeks. The implications of his actions send a strong message about the responsibilities of public officials in maintaining the trust and safety of the community.

In light of this incident, local citizens and officials have raised concerns about the ramifications of such hoaxes on community safety and trust in government operations.

Fox News Digital has reached out to Mayor Bass’s office for further comments regarding this alarming situation.