Former Los Angeles official gets probation for bomb threat

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(The Center Square) – Former Los Angeles Deputy Mayor Brian K. Williams was sentenced Monday to one year of probation and 50 hours of community service for making a false bomb threat last year at Los Angeles City Hall.

Williams, 61, must also pay a $5,000 fine, according to media reports.

Williams admitted to making the false bomb threat in a plea bargain with federal prosecutors. 

According to the plea agreement, Williams was serving as deputy mayor of public safety when he participated in a virtual meeting on Oct. 3, 2024. During the meeting, Williams used the Google Voice application on his personal cellphone to place a call to his city-issued cellphone, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Central District of California. The office said Williams called the Los Angeles Police Department chief of staff and falsely claimed he received a call on his city-issued cellphone from an unknown man who threatened to bomb City Hall.

Afterward, Los Angeles police officers searched City Hall and found no suspicious packages or devices, the U.S. Attorney’s Office said.

“In fact, Williams received no such call and had made the bomb threat himself,” the office said. “At no time did Williams intend to carry out the threat.”