LOS ANGELES, CA - MAY 03: Deputy Mayor for Public Safety Brian K. Williams delivers a speech during the graduation ceremony for LAPD recruit class 11-23 at the Los Angeles Police Academy in Los Angeles, CA on Friday, May 3, 2024. (Myung J. Chun / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)
Los Angeles, California – Brian K. Williams, 61, a former Deputy Mayor of Public Safety under Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, has been charged with making a false bomb threat targeting City Hall in 2024, federal prosecutors announced Thursday. Williams has agreed to plead guilty to a felony count of making threats involving fire or explosives, a charge that carries a maximum prison sentence of 10 years.
The charge stems from an incident on October 3, 2024, during which Williams, while participating in a virtual meeting in his official capacity, used a Google Voice app on his personal phone to call his city-issued cellphone. He then claimed the incoming call was from an unidentified man threatening to bomb City Hall over the city’s support for Israel.
Williams falsely reported the threat to LAPD Chief of Staff Scott Harrelson and texted Mayor Bass and other officials, stating: “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.’” LAPD officers promptly searched the building, but no device was found.
According to the plea agreement, Williams never received such a call and had fabricated the incident. Records revealed the “threatening call” had been made by Williams himself using Google Voice.
U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli condemned the act in a statement: “In an era of heated political rhetoric that has sometimes escalated into violence, we cannot allow public officials to make bomb threats. My office will continue its efforts to keep the public safe, including from those who violate their duty to uphold the law.”
The FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force led the investigation, with support from the LAPD. Williams’ attorney, Dmitry Gorin, said his client “accepts full responsibility” and attributed the incident to personal struggles. “This aberrational incident is not representative of Mr. Williams’ character or lifelong service to Los Angeles,” Gorin said.
Williams, who had served in multiple city leadership roles for more than three decades, was a key figure in Mayor Bass’ administration, overseeing the police and fire departments and helping lead the search for a new LAPD chief.
Assistant FBI Director Akil Davis called Williams’ actions a betrayal of public trust. “Government officials are held to a heightened standard,” he said. “Mr. Williams not only betrayed the residents of Los Angeles, but also the officers who responded to a threat that never existed.”
Williams is expected to appear in federal court in the coming weeks.
