The man appointed by Democratic Mayor Karen Bass to oversee security in Los Angeles has been on leave for nearly a month in connection with a bomb threat against Los Angeles City Hall.
About a week before Christmas, FBI agents raided the home of Brian Williams, the Los Angeles deputy mayor of public safety, on suspicion of making a bomb threat to Los Angeles City Hall. The Los Angeles Police Department began investigating the threat, but later turned the investigation over to federal investigators because the suspect had ties to the department.
“Our initial investigation indicates that the source of the threat was likely Brian Williams, Deputy Mayor for Public Safety,” the Los Angeles Police Department said in a statement. statement. “Due to the department's partnership with Mr. Williams, the investigation was referred to the FBI, which remains the investigative agency.”
Williams was placed on administrative leave after the attack. What the people involved said LA Times The bomb threat linked to Williams was said to have been made sometime in October.
“The mayor takes this matter very seriously,” said Bath City spokesman Zach Seidl. “When this threat was reported, the LAPD investigated and determined there was no immediate danger. After additional investigation, the LAPD referred the matter to the FBI for further investigation.”
“It wasn’t supposed to be like this.”
Williams' lawyer, Dmitry Gorin, said his client “strongly maintains his innocence.”
“Importantly, he has not been arrested or charged and will continue to cooperate with the investigation through his attorney,” Golin added.
The FBI did not appear to respond to requests for comment from The Associated Press.
Mayor Bass appointed Mr. Williams to join her team in February 2023. His duties included oversight of the Los Angeles Police Department, Fire Department, Office of Emergency Management, Los Angeles Port Police Department, and Los Angeles World Airport Police Department. new york post Reported.
The Times claimed that Williams was part of Bass's “trusted inner circle” who helped select Jim McDonnell as the new police chief in October, the same month the bomb threat was made.
Mr. Williams was already a familiar face at Los Angeles City Hall before Mr. Bass appointed him, having served as deputy mayor under then-Mayor James Hahn 20 years ago. He was also reportedly the city attorney and executive director of the sheriff's civilian oversight board.
In reporting on the attack on Williams' home last month, the Times had several unflattering things to say about Williams:
- “This revelation ranged from the inevitable ridicule on the Internet to the shock of City Hall and LAPD officials who said in private conversations that the charges did not match the men they knew.” It elicited a variety of reactions.”
- “If true, this allegation has been echoed by several city officials who describe him as a soft-spoken, smartly dressed colleague who has never shown anger or impulsive behavior on official business. It would mark a surprising turning point for a civil servant who was once praised and widely liked for his job. “
- “Some of the city's black political and religious communities rallied behind Williams, issuing statements of support and disbelief.”
Now that wildfires have been raging in the greater Los Angeles area for more than a week, the allegations surrounding Mr. Williams have resurfaced, raising questions about Mr. Bass's competency and crisis management. When the fire first broke out, Basu was on the other side of the world enjoying the inauguration of Ghana's new president, John Dramani Mahama.
