With our free press under threat and federal funding for public media gone, your support matters more than ever. Help keep the LAist newsroom strong, become a monthly member or increase your support today .
Former LA deputy mayor gets probation for fake City Hall bomb threat
Deputy Mayor for Public Safety Brian K. Williams delivers a speech during the graduation ceremony for an LAPD recruit class in 2024.
(
Myung J. Chun
/
Los Angeles Times via Getty Images
)
Topline:
Former Los Angeles Deputy Mayor Brian Williams was sentenced on Monday to one year of federal probation and 50 hours of community service after pleading guilty to calling in a fake bomb threat to City Hall, an act he said stemmed from mental health issues.
The backstory: Williams pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court to a single count of making threats regarding fire and explosives. He called his city-owned cellphone using Google Voice on his personal phone to say he was going to bomb City Hall over its support of Israel, according to prosecutors. He then told police of the call, prompting the bomb squad to conduct a search.
Listen
• 0:43
Former LA deputy mayor gets probation for fake City Hall bomb threat
Support for LAist comes from
Prosecutors said there was no evidence Williams intended to carry out the threat.
Mental health: Williams was desperate to get out of an ongoing virtual meeting when he made the threat, according to prosecutors. “It was motivated not by a political agenda or violent extremist ideology, but rather by defendant’s acute personal stress and anxiety due to numerous factors,” prosecutors wrote in a pre-sentencing memo. Williams’ mother and nephew had died and his brother was diagnosed with cancer in the 18 months prior to the incident.
His career: Williams served as deputy mayor for public safety under Mayor Karen Bass, working on police and fire issues. Previously, he served as executive director of the Sheriff Civilian Oversight Commission, as a deputy city attorney and as a deputy mayor under Mayor James Hahn. Prosecutors said Williams’ behavior was “misguided and dangerous but it was also an aberration."
At LAist, we believe in journalism without censorship and the right of a free press to speak truth to those in power. Our hard-hitting watchdog reporting on local government, climate, and the ongoing housing and homelessness crisis is trustworthy, independent and freely accessible to everyone thanks to the support of readers like you.
But the game has changed: Congress voted to eliminate funding for public media across the country. Here at LAist that means a loss of $1.7 million in our budget every year. We want to assure you that despite growing threats to free press and free speech, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust. Speaking frankly, the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news in our community.
We’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission.
Thank you for your generous support and belief in the value of independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
The historic properties have been sitting vacant for decades and were put on the market as-is, with prices ranging from $750,000 to $1.75 million. -
Users of the century old Long Beach wooden boardwalk give these suggestions to safely enjoy it. -
The Newport Beach City Council approved a new artificial surf park that will replace part of an aging golf course. -
The utility, whose equipment is believed to have sparked the Eaton Fire, says payouts could come as quickly as four months after people submit a claim. But accepting the money means you'll have to forego any lawsuits. -
The City Council will vote Tuesday on a proposal to study raising the pay for construction workers on apartments with at least 10 units and up to 85 feet high. -
The study found recipients spent nearly all the money on basic needs like food and transportation, not drugs or alcohol.
Best of LAist