Ex-LA Deputy Mayor Sentenced for Fake Bomb Threat to City Hall

A former senior staff member of Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass was sentenced after admitting to falsely reporting a bomb threat at City Hall. Deputy Mayor of Public Safety, Brian Williams, aged 61, received a sentence of one year on probation, 50 hours of community service, and a $5,000 fine.

Williams had contacted police in October 2024, claiming he received a call from an unknown individual threatening to place a bomb in City Hall. He used a Google Voice app on his personal phone to make the call, during a virtual meeting, and then left the meeting to inform the Los Angeles Police Department’s Chief of Staff. Shortly afterward, he texted city officials, alleging that someone had threatened to bomb the building due to political reasons.

Prosecutors confirmed that Williams himself made the call to his city-issued cellphone and had no real intention of executing the threat. An investigation revealed that the incoming call record was from a blocked number and that the threat was unfounded. Despite the hoax, police responded to the scene and conducted a search to ensure safety, though they found no credible danger.

Williams had expressed that the false report was a result of overwhelming stress and anxiety, seeking to escape an ongoing meeting. His attorney noted that he was undergoing treatment for mental health issues and had no prior criminal record.

He has agreed to plead guilty to one count of making threats related to fire or explosives, facing a potential maximum sentence of ten years in prison. His case highlights the importance of addressing mental health and the consequences of such false alarms in public safety contexts.