The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) raided the home of Los Angeles Deputy Mayor Brian Williams on Tuesday as part of an investigation into an alleged bomb threat the deputy mayor made against City Hall in September.
According to Fox 11, the FBI raided Williams’ home in Pasadena on Tuesday. The outlet noted that while no arrests have yet been made in connection with the bomb threat investigation, Williams has been placed on leave since the alleged bomb threat was made in September.
In a statement to Fox News, Los Angeles Deputy Mayor of Communications Zach Seidl said, “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.”
Seidl confirmed that Williams was “immediately placed on administrative leave” following the incident in September and added that Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass “takes this matter very seriously.”
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A statement obtained by Fox 11 from the Los Angeles Police Department indicated that the initial investigation into the September bomb threat incident concluded that Williams was believed to be the “source of the threat.”
“Due to the department’s working relationship with Mr. Williams, the investigation was referred to the FBI,” the Los Angeles Police Department said. “The FBI remains the investigating agency.”
The Los Angeles Police Department added, “No additional information is being released.”
According to Fox 11, Williams served as the deputy mayor under Bass since March of 2023 until being placed on leave after the bomb threat incident in September. As the deputy mayor, Williams was responsible for working closely with the city’s police and fire departments, the Los Angeles World Airports Police, and other emergency services.
Fox 11 reported that Williams served as Los Angeles County Sheriff Civilian Oversight Commission’s executive director prior to his appointment as deputy mayor in 2023. According to Fox 11, Williams also served as deputy mayor under former Mayor James Han. During that time, Williams was responsible for overseeing the Department of Transportation, Public Works and Information Technology Agency.