E. Martin Estrada, U.S. Attorney | U.S. Attorney's Office for the Central District of California
A former Los Angeles Deputy Mayor of Public Safety has been charged with threatening to bomb Los Angeles City Hall last year. Brian K. Williams, 61, from Pasadena, faces a single-count information charge related to threats involving fire and explosives.
Williams has agreed to plead guilty to the felony charge, which could result in a maximum sentence of 10 years in federal prison. He is expected to appear in United States District Court in downtown Los Angeles soon.
United States Attorney Bill Essayli stated, "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."
Akil Davis, Assistant Director in Charge of the FBI’s Los Angeles Field Office, commented on Williams' actions: "Mr. Williams... not only betrayed the residents of Los Angeles but responding officers and the integrity of the office itself by fabricating a bomb threat... I’m relieved that Mr. Williams has taken responsibility for his inexplicable actions."
According to his plea agreement, on October 3, 2024, while serving as Deputy Mayor of Public Safety for Los Angeles, Williams participated in a virtual meeting connected with his official duties. During this meeting, he used Google Voice on his personal cellphone to call his city-issued cellphone and then left the virtual meeting.
Williams subsequently called the Chief of Staff of the LAPD and falsely claimed he had received a bomb threat against City Hall from an unknown caller. He later sent text messages repeating this false claim to several high-ranking city officials.
The LAPD responded promptly but found no suspicious packages or devices at City Hall. Williams had fabricated details about receiving such a call and presented evidence that was actually self-generated using Google Voice.
Additional text messages were sent by Williams stating there was no need for evacuation but emphasizing heightened concern due to Jewish holidays.
The FBI's Joint Terrorism Task Force is investigating this case with significant assistance from the LAPD. The prosecution is led by Assistant United States Attorney David T. Ryan.
