LOS ANGELES — Brian K. Williams, who served as the deputy mayor of public safety in Los Angeles, is set to plead guilty to making a false bomb threat against City Hall last year, federal prosecutors announced Thursday. The incident sparked a major law enforcement response but was ultimately revealed as a hoax.
Details of the Incident
In October 2024, Williams sent a text message to Mayor Karen Bass and several high-ranking city officials falsely claiming that he had received a phone call from a man threatening to bomb Los Angeles City Hall. According to prosecutors, the message read that the caller was “tired of the city support of Israel” and intended to place a bomb in the rotunda of City Hall.
Upon receiving the message, Williams said he immediately contacted the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD). The LAPD responded promptly by conducting a thorough search of City Hall but found no explosives or suspicious devices. Despite the extensive response, it became clear that the threat was fabricated.
Investigators uncovered that the call Williams claimed to have received was actually made by Williams himself. He used the Google Voice application on his personal cellphone to place the call, which appeared as a blocked number on his official city-issued phone. This deceptive tactic was central to the false threat.
Legal Charges and Investigation
Williams, 31, faces one felony count of making an explosives threat, a charge that carries a maximum prison sentence of 10 years. The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) conducted a search of Williams’ residence in December 2024 as part of the investigation. Following the exposure of the hoax, Williams was placed on administrative leave from his position.
Despite several attempts, Williams’ attorney has not responded to requests for comment on the case. The upcoming court proceedings will likely include Williams formally entering a guilty plea. Prosecutors intend to pursue appropriate penalties reflecting the severity of fabricating threats against public safety.
Broader Implications
The false bomb threat disrupted normal operations at City Hall and required a costly and resource-intensive emergency response from local law enforcement. Incidents like this undermine public trust and waste taxpayer dollars, as officials must treat every threat seriously until proven otherwise.
U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli emphasized the importance of holding public officials to the highest standards, stating, “In an era of heightened political rhetoric and violence, threats against public safety cannot be tolerated — especially when they are false and deliberately manufactured.” The case serves as a reminder that fabricating threats not only endangers the safety of the community but also the integrity of government institutions.
What’s Next
Williams is scheduled to appear in federal court soon to enter his plea. The outcome of the case will depend on the details of his guilty plea and sentencing. Federal prosecutors have signaled that they will seek a substantial sentence to deter similar conduct in the future.
Meanwhile, Los Angeles city officials are working to restore confidence following the disruption caused by the hoax. The LAPD and other agencies continue to stress the importance of taking all threats seriously, despite the unfortunate reality that some may be fabricated.
Information sourced from:
- U.S. Department of Justice
- Los Angeles Police Department
- Federal Bureau of Investigation
