FBI agents search home of Los Angeles deputy mayor over City Hall bomb threat
LOS ANGELES — FBI agents searched the home of a Los Angeles deputy mayor this week as part of an investigation into whether he made a bomb threat against City Hall, officials said.
A statement from Mayor Karen Bass’ office said she was notified of Tuesday’s search of the home of Brian K. Williams, her deputy mayor for public safety, as part of an investigation into an alleged threat.
The Los Angeles Police Department confirmed that officers responded to a bomb threat against City Hall “earlier this year.”
“Our initial investigation determined that the source of the threat likely came from Brian Williams, Deputy Mayor for Public Safety,” the department said in a statement Wednesday. “Due to the department’s working relationship with Mr. Williams, the investigation was referred to the FBI. The FBI remains the investigating agency.”
Williams’ lawyer, Dmitry Gorin, told the newspaper Los Angeles Times that his client “vigorously maintains his innocence and intends to vigorously fight the allegations.”
Zach Seidl, a spokesman for Bass, said Williams has been placed on administrative leave.
“The mayor takes this matter very seriously,” Seidl said in a statement. “When the threat was reported, the LAPD investigated and determined there was no immediate danger. After additional investigation, the LAPD has referred this matter to the FBI for further investigation.”
Messages were left Thursday for FBI spokesperson Laura Emiller.
Williams has not been arrested or charged and Gorin said his client was cooperating with investigators.
“He has had a long career in the public sector and is presumed innocent of these charges,” Gorin said.
Williams spent nearly two years as deputy mayor in Bass’ office, handling issues such as police hiring, public safety spending and the search for a new police chief.
He also served as deputy mayor from 2001 to 2005 during the administration of Mayor James K. Hahn. Before that, Williams served as an assistant city attorney in Los Angeles for several years, the Times said.