Forest fires also wreaked havoc across it Los Angelesthe city official in charge of the Fire Department has been out of the picture — having been placed on administrative leave in December while still under investigation for an alleged bomb threat made against the City Council earlier this year.
The FBI raided the home of Los Angeles Deputy Mayor Brian Williams in Pasadena, California, last month in connection with the investigation into a bomb threat against the City Council 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 working relationship between the department and Mr. Williams, the investigation has been referred to the FBI,” the LAPD said in a statement at the time. “The FBI remains the investigating agency.”
Embattled 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 the fires broke out in Los Angeles County, which burned through nearly four square miles of urban areas, according to the Associated Press.
Deputy Mayor for Public Safety Brian K. Williams speaks during the graduation ceremony for LAPD recruit classes 11-23 at the Los Angeles Police Academy in Los Angeles on May 3, 2024. (Myung Jae Chun/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)
Palisades and Eaton Fires The fire is still burning, although the heroic efforts of firefighters and calm winds have dramatically reduced the rate of spread. At least 27 people were killed and more than 12,000 buildings and homes were destroyed in the fires. State fire agency CalFire said the fires were likely among the most destructive in California history.
When the first fire broke out, Bass, 71, was abroad on a diplomatic mission to Ghana. She was part of a delegation sent by President Biden to the African country to attend the inauguration of Ghanaian President John Dramani Mahama. She rushed home on a military plane shortly after news of the fire emergency arrived, but did not return to Los Angeles for a full 24 hours after the disaster struck.
LA MAYOR KAREN BASS posed for photos at a cocktail party with a PALISADES fire explosion
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass is facing intense criticism for her management during the fire emergency in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Richard Vogel)
Her initial absence drew harsh criticism from Los Angeles residents, who question Bass' leadership amid the crisis. In this context, its decision to place Williams on administrative leave is also subject to new scrutiny.
The Los Angeles Mayor's Office did not respond to requests for comment.
Bass Williams was appointed deputy mayor in February 2023 and charged him with overseeing public safety in the city.
Firefighter Danny Sackett, right, sets aside a religious statue from the rubble of a destroyed home, joined by Kitsap County firefighters from Bainbridge Island, Wash., as they checked for hot spots and structural damage to homes destroyed by the Palisades Fire. In the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles, Friday, January 17, 2025. (AP Photo/Richard Vogel)
Williams was put in charge City Police DepartmentLocal news station KABC, the Fire Department, Los Angeles Harbor Police, Los Angeles World Airport Police and the city's emergency management reported. Williams previously served for seven years as executive director of the Los Angeles County 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 the Information Technology Agency.
Williams' attorney, Dmitry Gorin, did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Goren previously issued a statement denying that his client had anything to do with the bomb threat against City Hall.
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“Mr. Williams firmly maintains his innocence and intends to vigorously fight these charges. Importantly, he has not been arrested or charged, and will continue to cooperate with the investigation through his attorneys. He has a long career in public service and is presumed innocent of the charge.” “We urge the public to allow the investigative process to move forward and not to prejudge the facts of this case before knowing them,” Goren said last month.
The FBI did not respond to a request for comment.
