Brian Williams, Los Angeles City’s former deputy mayor for public safety, is now facing a decade behind bars after his fabricated bomb threat sent the city into a brief panic and forced authorities to respond to a non-existent danger.

According to Fox News, Williams, 61, has agreed to plead guilty to a single federal count related to the hoax, which he orchestrated during a virtual meeting in October 2024. The Department of Justice confirmed that Williams’s actions involved falsely claiming a bomb threat was imminent at Los Angeles City Hall. 

Federal investigators determined that Williams staged the threat himself, using his personal cell phone and Google Voice to simulate a menacing call. The fallout from his actions has reignited debate over accountability and integrity within Los Angeles’s city government.

Virtual call leads to chaos

On October 3, 2024, what began as a routine work meeting turned into a bizarre episode when Williams abruptly left the online gathering and dialed the chief of staff for the Los Angeles Police Department. He falsely reported having just received a threat from an anonymous male caller, who, according to Williams, claimed to be motivated by the city’s “support of Israel” and warned that a bomb might have been placed inside City Hall’s rotunda.

Immediately after the alleged threat, Williams texted Mayor Bass and other senior city officials to warn them of the supposed danger. He wrote that the LAPD would be conducting a sweep of the building and claimed the threat was being taken “a little more seriously” because of the Jewish holidays.

Police responded swiftly, searching the premises for any suspicious devices, but nothing was found. It didn’t take long for investigators to uncover that Williams had orchestrated the entire episode, fabricating the call records by dialing his own city-issued phone from his personal device.

Federal charges and public reaction

Federal prosecutors wasted no time in bringing charges against Williams, emphasizing the seriousness of making false threats, especially from someone in a position of authority. Williams ultimately agreed to plead guilty to one count of “information with threats regarding fire and explosives,” a crime that carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in federal prison.

U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli issued a stern statement underscoring the need for public officials to uphold the law:

In an era of heated political rhetoric that has sometimes escalated into violence, we cannot allow public officials to make bomb threats. My office will continue its efforts to keep the public safe, including from those who violate their duty to uphold the law.

The incident shocked many at City Hall and across Los Angeles. Mayor Karen Bass’s spokesperson, Zach Seidl, spoke to the gravity of the betrayal, saying, “Like many, we were shocked when these allegations were first made and we are saddened by this conclusion.”

Williams’s actions raise accountability concerns

This scandal has reignited concerns about the conduct of public servants and the standards to which they are held. Law enforcement officials did not mince words about the case. Akil Davis, assistant director in charge of the FBI’s Los Angeles field office, condemned Williams’s actions, stating:

Mr. Williams, the former deputy mayor of Public Safety for Los Angeles, not only betrayed the residents of Los Angeles, but responding officers, and the integrity of the office itself, by fabricating a bomb threat. Government officials are held to a heightened standard as we rely on them to safeguard the city. I’m relieved that Mr. Williams has taken responsibility for his inexplicable actions.

Williams had previously tried to convince police of the threat’s authenticity by showing them a record of an incoming blocked call, which was later determined to be from his own Google Voice account. The revelation that the threat was staged by a top public safety official sent ripples through LA city government.

Fallout for Mayor Bass and next steps

Mayor Bass has faced questions about oversight and staff management. She responded to the scandal by expressing relief that the responsible staffer had resigned, stating, “I’m glad the staffer responsible has resigned.” Critics argue this response does little to address broader issues of trust and transparency within her administration.

The timing of Williams’s fake threat—invoking tensions over Israel and referencing Jewish holidays—has also drawn criticism for its recklessness. City leaders and community members have voiced concern about the potential harm such fabricated threats can cause, not only to public safety but also to faith in government. Williams, who is expected to appear in court in the coming weeks, has not commented publicly beyond his admission of guilt. Prosecutors have stated there was never any intent to actually carry out harm, but the consequences for Williams and the city’s reputation remain significant.

Why This Story Matters

This case underscores the vital importance of integrity in public officials, especially those tasked with community safety. When a person in a leadership role exploits trust for personal reasons, it undermines confidence in local government. As cities face increasing security concerns, transparency and accountability are more important than ever.

Conclusion

Brian K. Williams, a once-prominent figure in the Los Angeles city government, has agreed to plead guilty to staging a fake bomb threat directed at Los Angeles City Hall in October 2024. The threat resulted in a full police response despite Williams knowing there was no actual danger. Investigators later confirmed he orchestrated the hoax himself using a spoofed Google Voice call, prompting widespread condemnation and potential legal consequences of up to 10 years in prison. City officials and federal authorities expressed disappointment and concern over the betrayal of public trust and emphasized the continued need to protect the public from such exploitation of authority.