Former Los Angeles Deputy Mayor Brian Ok. Williams pleaded responsible Monday to a federal cost linked to a pretend bomb risk he made to Metropolis Corridor final yr.
Williams entered a plea in downtown Los Angeles to a single federal depend of threats concerning fireplace and explosives, in keeping with the U.S. Lawyer’s Workplace.
Sentencing was scheduled for Oct. 6.Williams will face a attainable jail sentence of as much as 10 years.
In keeping with Williams’ plea settlement, on Oct. 3, 2024, whereas serving as Mayor Karen Bass’ deputy mayor of public security, he known as the Los Angeles Police Division’s chief of workers, falsely claiming he had simply obtained a bomb risk to Metropolis Corridor on his city-issued telephone from an unknown man.
About 10 minutes later, Williams despatched a textual content message to Bass and a number of other high-ranking metropolis officers and falsely reported, “Bomb risk: I obtained telephone name on my metropolis cell at 10:48 am this morning. The male caller said that `he was bored with town assist of Israel, and he has determined to position a bomb in Metropolis Corridor. It is likely to be within the rotunda.’ I instantly contacted the chief of workers of LAPD, they will ship a lot of officers over to
do a search of the constructing and to find out if anybody else obtained a risk.”
Williams admitted he then despatched extra textual content messages to Bass and different metropolis officers stating, “Presently, there isn’t any want for us to evacuate the constructing, I am assembly with the risk administration officers inside the subsequent 10 minutes. In mild of the Jewish holidays, we’re taking this (risk) just a little extra significantly. I’ll hold you posted.”
LAPD officers responded to Metropolis Corridor to analyze the risk Williams reported. Police searched the constructing and didn’t find any suspicious packages or units. Williams described to police the threatening name he claimed to have obtained, confirmed them the document of an incoming name that appeared as a blocked quantity on his city-issued cellular phone and stated it was the unknown man who conveyed the risk, court docket papers present.
In truth, that incoming name document was the decision Williams had positioned to himself from the Google Voice app on his private cellular phone, federal prosecutors stated.
At no time did Williams intend to hold out the risk, his plea settlement filed in Los Angeles federal court docket states. His motive behind the pretend bomb risk has not been publicly said.
Williams quietly retired from metropolis authorities in April and previous to that, when the FBI started an investigation into the bomb risk, he was positioned on administrative go away.
“Like many, we have been shocked when these allegations have been first made and we’re saddened by this conclusion,” Zach Seidl, a spokesperson for Bass, stated final month.
Williams joined Bass’ workplace in March 2023. He was tasked with working carefully with crucial security departments similar to police, fireplace, Los Angeles World Airports police and emergency. Previous to his appointment, Williams served seven years as the chief director of the Los Angeles County Sheriff Civilian Oversight Fee.
Williams additionally beforehand served as a deputy mayor underneath Mayor James Hahn, the place he was answerable for the administration and oversight of the Division of Transportation, Public Works and Info Expertise Company.
“Mr. Williams, the previous deputy mayor of public security for Los Angeles, not solely betrayed the residents of Los Angeles, however responding officers, and the integrity of the workplace itself, by fabricating a bomb risk,” Akil Davis, the assistant director in control of the FBI’s Los Angeles Discipline Workplace, stated in a press release.
“Authorities officers are held to a heightened normal as we depend on them to safeguard town. I am relieved that Mr. Williams has taken duty for his inexplicable actions.”
