Ex-LA Deputy Mayor: Bomb Threat Plea
- Brian K.Williams, 61, Pasadena, Calif., entered a not guilty plea today on a felony charge related to a false bomb threat reported at Los Angeles City Hall last...
- Williams is expected to change his plea to guilty Friday in downtown Los Angeles.
- 3, 2024, Williams, then Mayor Karen Bass' deputy mayor for public safety, allegedly contacted the Los Angeles Police Department's chief of staff, falsely claiming he'd received a bomb...
Former LA Deputy Mayor Brian K. Williams, accused of making a false bomb threat at City Hall in 2024, has pleaded not guilty. This shocking case, involving teh former deputy mayor, reveals the details of Williams’ alleged actions, including the use of a Google Voice app to fabricate a call record. Facing up to a decade in prison, Williams now faces an impending guilty plea. The original incident sent LAPD officers scrambling,only to discover the alleged deception,highlighting how significant it is to ensure safety. News Directory 3 provides breaking local and national news coverage. Discover what’s next as the case unfolds and learn the consequences of staging such threats.
Former LA Deputy Mayor Pleads Not Guilty in Bomb Threat Case
Brian K.Williams, 61, Pasadena, Calif., entered a not guilty plea today on a felony charge related to a false bomb threat reported at Los Angeles City Hall last year. Williams, who formerly served as a deputy mayor, faces a federal charge of threats involving fire and explosives.
Williams is expected to change his plea to guilty Friday in downtown Los Angeles. The U.S. Attorney’s Office indicated the charge carries a potential prison term of up to 10 years.
According to the plea agreement, on Oct. 3, 2024, Williams, then Mayor Karen Bass‘ deputy mayor for public safety, allegedly contacted the Los Angeles Police Department’s chief of staff, falsely claiming he’d received a bomb threat to City Hall on his city-issued phone. He attributed the threat to an unknown man.
Prosecutors allege that about 10 minutes later, Williams texted Bass and other high-ranking city officials, repeating the false bomb threat and claiming the caller was upset about the city’s support of Israel. He further stated that police were searching the building.
LAPD officers responded to City Hall to investigate the reported bomb threat. After searching the building, police found no suspicious devices. Williams showed police a blocked number on his city-issued cell phone,claiming it was the source of the threat.
Federal prosecutors contend that the incoming call record was actually a call Williams made to himself using the Google Voice request on his personal cell phone.His plea agreement states he never intended to carry out the threat.
Williams retired from city government in April after being placed on administrative leave when the FBI began investigating the bomb threat.
“Like many, we were shocked when these allegations were first made and we are saddened by this conclusion,” said Zach Seidl, a spokesperson for Bass.
Williams joined Bass’ office in March 2023, overseeing critical safety departments. He previously served as executive director of the Los Angeles County Sheriff Civilian Oversight Commission and as a deputy mayor under Mayor james Hahn.
“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,” said Akil Davis, the assistant director in charge of the FBI’s Los Angeles Field Office, in a statement. “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.”
What’s next
Williams is scheduled to appear in court Friday to change his plea. The case highlights the importance of public safety and the consequences of making false threats.