Brian Williams, former deputy mayor under Karen Bass, admits to faking bomb threat targeting LA City Hall in 2024.

Former Public Safety Official Fabricated Threat

Brian Williams, 61, who once served as Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass’s deputy mayor for public safety, has agreed to plead guilty to fabricating a bomb threat aimed at Los Angeles City Hall in October 2024. The U.S. Department of Justice announced the plea agreement on Thursday, revealing that Williams faces up to 10 years in prison for the federal offense.

Williams will plead guilty to one count of making threats regarding fire and explosives. The charge stems from an incident on October 3, 2024, during a virtual meeting involving city personnel. According to federal prosecutors, Williams used the Google Voice app on his personal phone to call his city-issued cellphone, fabricating an incoming threat.

He subsequently left the meeting and contacted the Los Angeles Police Department’s chief of staff, falsely reporting that he had just received a bomb threat targeting City Hall. Ten minutes later, Williams texted Mayor Bass and senior officials, claiming a caller opposed to the city’s support of Israel had threatened to place a bomb in the rotunda of City Hall.

The LAPD launched a security sweep of City Hall, but no explosives or suspicious devices were found. Investigators later determined that the supposed call was staged. The call log Williams provided showed an incoming blocked number—actually generated by his own use of Google Voice to call himself.

Violation of Public Trust and Safety Protocols

In a statement, U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli condemned the act: “In an era of heated political rhetoric that has sometimes escalated into violence, we cannot allow public officials to make bomb threats.”

FBI Los Angeles Assistant Director Akil Davis added, “Mr. Williams not only betrayed the residents of Los Angeles, but also responding officers and the integrity of his office by fabricating a bomb threat.” Davis emphasized that public officials are held to a higher standard and commended Williams for accepting responsibility.

Prosecutors noted that Williams had no intention of carrying out an actual attack but stressed the danger and disruption caused by his false report. His text messages to city leaders included false reassurances and references to heightened concerns due to the Jewish holidays, further amplifying the perceived threat level.

Williams is expected to formally enter his guilty plea in the coming weeks. His sentencing date has not yet been set, but the single charge carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in federal prison.

The incident marks a dramatic fall for a top safety official and highlights the seriousness with which authorities treat threats—even false ones—especially when made by those entrusted with public safety responsibilities.