Ex-Deputy Mayor Guilty in LA City Hall Bomb Hoax

Brian K. Williams, former Los Angeles Deputy Mayor of Public Safety, has agreed to plead guilty to a federal felony charge after fabricating a bomb threat against City Hall in October 2024. Williams used Google Voice to call his city-issued phone during a virtual meeting, then falsely reported the threat to the LAPD, Mayor Karen Bass, and other officials, claiming it stemmed from anti-Israel sentiment. The hoax triggered a police search of City Hall, but no explosives were found. Williams denied involvement for months until evidence showed he made the call himself; after the FBI searched his home, he was placed on administrative leave. He now faces up to 10 years in federal prison, though sentences are often shorter. Prosecutors highlighted the seriousness of his actions, especially given his senior public safety role amid heightened political tensions.