F.B.I. agents searched the home of a Los Angeles deputy mayor this week as part of an investigation into a bomb threat that officials believe he made against City Hall earlier this year.
The deputy mayor, Brian Williams, was appointed by Mayor Karen Bass last year to oversee public safety. Federal agents searched his home on Tuesday and he was immediately placed on administrative leave, the mayor’s office said in a statement on Wednesday.
It was not immediately clear exactly when the threat was made. But the Los Angeles Police Department determined at the time that there was no immediate danger, the mayor’s office said.
The police said an initial investigation found that the source of the bomb threat was “likely” Mr. Williams. Officers referred the case to the F.B.I. because of the Police Department’s working relationship with Mr. Williams, the police said.
The F.B.I. office in Los Angeles declined to comment on the search. Mr. Williams did not immediately respond to requests for comment on Wednesday.
Mr. Williams was appointed in February 2023 to oversee public safety in Los Angeles. The role, the mayor’s office said at the time, would include oversight of the Police Department, the Los Angeles Fire Department, the Port of Los Angeles Police, the Los Angeles World Airports Police and the Emergency Management Department.
Before his latest appointment, Mr. Williams held several government positions in Southern California, including executive director of the Los Angeles County Sheriff Civilian Oversight Commission and assistant city attorney.
Mr. Wiliams was also a deputy mayor under James Hahn, who was mayor of Los Angeles from 2001 to 2005. In that role, Mr. Williams had overseen transportation and public works, among other city agencies.
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