While forest fires were causing havoc Los Angelesthe city official in charge of the fire department was not available – he was placed on administrative leave in December while he remains under investigation for an alleged bomb threat to City Hall earlier this year.
L.A. Deputy Mayor Brian Williams’ home in Pasadena, California, was searched by the FBI last month in connection with an investigation into a bomb threat made against City Hall in September. The Los Angeles Police Department referred the case to the FBI after determining that Williams was likely “the source of the threat,” FOX 11 Los Angeles reported.
“Due to the department’s working relationship with Mr. Williams, the investigation has been turned over to the FBI,” the LAPD said in a statement at the time. “The FBI remains an investigative agency.”
The office of embattled Mayor Karen Bass said Williams was placed on administrative leave immediately after the FBI notified the mayor of the search. That happened three weeks before the fires broke out in Los Angeles County, burning nearly four square miles of the urban area, according to the Associated Press.
LA DEPUTY MAYOR PLACED ON LEAVE AFTER FBI RAIDS HOME FOR ALLEGED BOMB THREAT
Deputy Mayor for Public Safety Brian K. Williams speaks during a graduation ceremony for LAPD recruits classes 11-23 at the Los Angeles Police Academy on May 3, 2024 in Los Angeles. (Myung J. Chun / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)
Palisades and Eaton Fires still burning, although heroic efforts by firefighters and calming winds have greatly reduced the rate of spread. At least 27 people died and more than 12,000 buildings and homes were destroyed in the fires. The fires are likely to be among the most destructive in California history, the state fire agency CalFire said.
When the first flames broke out, Bass, 71, was overseas on a diplomatic mission in Ghana. She was part of the delegation that President Biden sent to the African country for the inauguration of Ghanaian President John Dramani Mahama. She rushed home on a military plane shortly after word of the fire arrived, but did not return to Los Angeles for a full 24 hours after the disaster.
LA MAYOR KAREN BASS POSED FOR PHOTOS AT A COCKTAIL PARTY AS THE PALISADA FIRE EXPLODED
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass is facing heavy criticism for her handling of the Los Angeles fire emergency. (AP Photo/Richard Vogel)
Her initial absence drew sharp criticism from LA residents, who questioned Bass’ leadership amid the crisis. In that context, her decision to place Williams on administrative leave is also under new scrutiny.
The Los Angeles mayor’s office did not respond to requests for comment.
Bass named Williams deputy mayor in February 2023 and tasked him with overseeing public safety in the city.
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Firefighter Danny Sackett, right, removes a religious statue from the rubble of a destroyed home, joined by the Kitsap County Fire Strike Team from Bainbridge Island, Wash., as they check for hot spots and structural damage at homes destroyed by the Palisades Fire in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles, Friday, January 17, 2025 (AP Photo/Richard Vogel)
Williams was put in charge city police departmentfirefighters, Los Angeles Port Police, Los Angeles International Airport police and the city’s Department of Emergency Management, local news station KABC reported. Williams previously served as executive director of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Civilian Oversight Commission for seven years.
He also served as deputy mayor under Mayor James Hahn, during which time he oversaw the Department of Transportation, Public Works and the Information Technology Agency.
Williams’ attorney, Dmitry Gorin, did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Gorin previously released a statement denying that his client had anything to do with the bomb threat to City Hall.
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“Mr. Williams firmly maintains his innocence and intends to vigorously fight the charges. Importantly, he has not been arrested, nor charged, and will continue to cooperate with the investigation through counsel. He has a long career in public service and is presumed innocent of Ovi allegations urge the public to allow the investigative process to unfold and not to prejudge the facts of this case before they are known,” Gorin said. last month.
The FBI did not respond to a request for comment.
