As wildfires devastated Los Angeles, the city official in charge of the fire department was left out of the picture: He was placed on administrative leave in December while he remains under investigation for an alleged bomb threat against City Hall earlier this year.
Los Angeles Vice Mayor Brian Williams' home in Pasadena, California, was raided by the FBI last month in connection with the 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 was referred to the FBI,” the LAPD said in a statement at the time. “The FBI remains the investigating agency.”
Mayor Karen Bass' office said Williams was placed on administrative leave immediately after the FBI notified the mayor of the search. That happened three weeks before fires broke out in Los Angeles County, burning nearly four square miles of urban area, according to the Associated Press.
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Deputy Mayor for Public Safety Brian K. Williams delivers a speech during the graduation ceremony for LAPD recruit class 11-23 at the Los Angeles Police Academy on May 3, 2024. (Myung J. Chun/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)
The Palisades and Eaton fires are still burning, although heroic efforts by firefighters and calming winds have greatly reduced the rate of spread. At least 27 people have died and more than 12,000 buildings and homes have been destroyed by 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 were lit, Bass, 71, was abroad on a diplomatic mission in Ghana. He was part of a delegation that President Biden sent to the African nation for the inauguration of Ghanaian President John Dramani Mahama. He rushed home on a military plane shortly after word of the fire emergency reached him, but did not return to Los Angeles for a full 24 hours after the disaster struck.
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Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass is facing heavy criticism for her management during the Los Angeles fire emergency. (AP Photo/Richard Vogel)
His initial absence has drawn harsh criticism from Los Angeles residents, who question Bass's leadership amid the crisis. In that context, his 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 appointed Williams deputy mayor in February 2023 and tasked him with overseeing public safety in the city.
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Firefighter Danny Sackett, right, moves a religious statue out of the rubble of a destroyed home, along with the Kitsap County fire crew from Bainbridge Island, Washington, as they search for hot spots and structural damage in homes destroyed by the Palisades fire. in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles, on Friday, January 17, 2025. (AP Photo/Richard Vogel)
Williams was placed in charge of the city's police department, fire department, Port of Los Angeles police, Los Angeles World Airport police and the city's Department of Emergency Management, the news station reported. local KABC. Williams previously served seven years as executive director of the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Civilian Oversight Commission.
He also served as deputy mayor under Mayor James Hahn, during which time he oversaw the Department of Transportation, Public Works and Information Technology Agency.
Williams' attorney, Dmitry Gorin, did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Gorin previously issued a statement denying that his client had anything to do with the bomb threat made against City Hall.
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“Mr. Williams firmly maintains his innocence and intends to vigorously fight the allegations. Importantly, he has not been arrested or charged and will continue to cooperate with the investigation through attorneys. He has a long career of public service and is presumed innocent of these allegations. We 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.
