FBI raids home of Los Angeles deputy mayor as part of bomb threat investigation

The Los Angeles deputy mayor for public safety is suspected of calling in a bomb threat to Los Angeles City Hall earlier this year.

The FBI searched the home of Deputy Mayor Brian Williams earlier this week after being called in by local police.

The Los Angeles Police Department said Wednesday that its investigation of the threat “revealed that the source of the threat was likely from Brian Williams, Deputy Mayor for Public Safety.

“Due to the department’s working relationship with Mr. Williams, the investigation was referred to the FBI,” the department stated, according to The Associated Press.

Mr. Williams oversees the LAPD as part of his role as deputy mayor.

The police department did not say exactly when the threat was called in, though Los Angeles City Hall was evacuated on Sept. 9 due to reports of a suspicious package, according to Los Angeles CBS affiliate KCBS-TV.

Mr. Williams has been put on administrative leave, Deputy Mayor for Communications Zach Seidl said in a statement to multiple outlets.

Mr. Seidl reiterated that Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass “takes this matter very seriously,” adding that when “the threat was reported, LAPD investigated and determined there was no immediate danger.”

Attorney Dmitry Gorin told the Los Angeles Times that Mr. Williams “strongly maintains his innocence and intends to vigorously fight the allegations.”

“He has not been arrested, nor charged, and will continue cooperating with the investigation through his attorneys,” Mr. Gorin added.