FBI agents have raided the home of Los Angeles Deputy Mayor Brian Williams (D) in connection with a bomb threat made against his own city hall.
3 months ago Los Angeles City Hall was evacuated for a bomb threat. Today FBI agents raided the home of a Los Angeles deputy mayor as part of an investigation into a bomb threat.
The agents searched the home of Brian Williams, who is deputy mayor for public safety, on Tuesday… pic.twitter.com/Qh7tzbVnc3
— Kevin Dalton (@TheKevinDalton) December 18, 2024
The Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) has stated that they believe Williams was likely the “source of the threat,” which was made in September.
“Earlier this year the LAPD responded to a bomb threat made against Los Angeles City Hall. 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,” the LAPD noted in a statement.
No one was arrested during the FBI raid, but Williams has since been placed on leave, according to a statement from Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass’ (D) office.
“The Mayor’s Office was notified that the FBI searched the home of Deputy Mayor Brian Williams yesterday as part of an investigation into a bomb threat he allegedly made against City Hall earlier this year,” LA deputy mayor of communications Zach Seidl wrote in the statement to Fox News Digital. “He was immediately placed on administrative leave. The Mayor takes this matter very seriously.”
NEW: Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass’ office says they’ve placed Deputy Mayor for Public Safety Brian Williams on leave after they were notified the FBI raided his home yesterday in connection to a bomb threat he allegedly made against city hall earlier this year. Photo: @latimes pic.twitter.com/NY6mIcKXjg
— Bill Melugin (@BillMelugin_) December 18, 2024
He went on to note that when the city contacted the LAPD about the bomb threat, they conducted an investigation. However, authorities stated that the threat did not pose an imminent danger to city hall, then proceeded to ask the FBI to handle the case because of their conflict of interest — as the LAPD has been working with Williams in his job at the mayor’s office in a role that made him a key liaison with the police department, fire department, and other emergency preparedness and safety departments at city hall. Williams also previously worked as the executive director of the Los Angeles County Sheriff Civilian Oversight Commission for seven years.
The FBI has not yet released any details about its investigation of Williams or the raid of his home, and FBI spokeswoman Laura Eimiller declined to comment on the investigation when contacted by the media.
Meanwhile, attorney Dmitry Gorin, who represents Williams, has stated that his client “strongly maintains his innocence and intends to vigorously fight the allegations.”
“Importantly, he has not been arrested, nor charged, and will continue cooperating with the investigation through his attorneys,” Gorin claimed. “He has a lengthy career of public service and is presumed innocent of these allegations.”
