LA mayor’s office silent on deputy who was in charge of fire dept., placed on leave for alleged bomb threat

Amid the devastating wildfires that have torn through Los Angeles, the city’s fire department has been left without its top official. The deputy mayor in charge of public safety, Brian Williams, was placed on administrative leave in December while he remains under investigation for an alleged bomb threat against City Hall earlier this year.

The FBI raided Williams’ Pasadena home last month in connection to the investigation of a bomb threat made against City Hall in September. The Los Angeles Police Department referred the case to the FBI after determining Williams as the likely source of the threat. The LAPD stated that the FBI remains the investigating agency in this matter.

Following the FBI’s search of Williams’ home, Mayor Karen Bass’s office swiftly placed him on administrative leave. This action occurred just three weeks before the wildfires broke out in Los Angeles County, scorching nearly four square miles of urban area.

The Palisades and Eaton Fires continue to burn, though thanks to the heroic efforts of firefighters and favorable winds, the rate of spread has been greatly reduced. The fires have already claimed the lives of at least 27 people and destroyed over 12,000 buildings and homes, making them some of the most destructive in California’s history.

Criticism of Mayor Bass’s leadership has mounted as she was overseas on a diplomatic mission to Ghana when the fires ignited. While she did rush back to Los Angeles after being informed of the emergency, her delay in returning has raised questions about her management during the crisis. This scrutiny has extended to her decision to place Williams on administrative leave.

Williams, who was appointed deputy mayor by Bass in February 2023, was responsible for overseeing public safety in the city. His portfolio included managing the police department, fire department, Port of Los Angeles Police, Los Angeles World Airport Police, and the city’s Emergency Management Department.

Prior to his role as deputy mayor, Williams served as the executive director of the Los Angeles County Sheriff Civilian Oversight Commission and as deputy mayor under Mayor James Hahn. His attorney, Dmitry Gorin, has maintained Williams’s innocence in the bomb threat case and emphasized his client’s lengthy career of public service.

As the investigation into Williams continues, the FBI has not provided any further comments on the matter. The situation remains fluid, and Williams’s future in the city’s administration remains uncertain. The people of Los Angeles are left to grapple with the aftermath of the devastating wildfires, with many questioning the leadership and decision-making during this crisis.