As wildfires wreaked devastation throughout Los Angeles, the town official accountable for the hearth division was out of the image – positioned on administrative depart in December whereas he stays underneath investigation for an alleged bomb menace in opposition to Metropolis Corridor earlier this yr.
LA Deputy Mayor Brian Williams’ Pasadena, California house was raided by the FBI final month in connection to the investigation of a bomb menace which was made in opposition to Metropolis Corridor in September. The Los Angeles Police Division referred the case to the FBI after it decided Williams was seemingly the “source of the threat,” FOX 11 Los Angeles reported.
“Due to the department’s working relationship with Mr. Williams, the investigation was referred to the FBI,” the LAPD mentioned in an announcement on the time. “The FBI remains the investigating agency.”
Embattled Mayor Karen Bass’ workplace mentioned Williams was positioned on administrative depart instantly after the FBI notified the mayor of the search. That occurred three weeks earlier than the fires erupted in Los Angeles County, scorching practically 4 sq. miles of city space, in accordance with the Related Press.
LA DEPUTY MAYOR PLACED ON LEAVE AFTER FBI RAIDS HOME FOR ALLEGEDLY MAKING BOMB THREAT
Deputy Mayor for Public Security Brian Ok. Williams delivers a speech through the commencement ceremony for LAPD recruit class 11-23 on the Los Angeles Police Academy in Los Angeles on Might 3, 2024. (Myung J. Chun / Los Angeles Instances by way of Getty Photos)
The Palisades and Eaton Fires are nonetheless burning, although heroic efforts by firefighters and calming winds have significantly diminished the speed of unfold. Not less than 27 folks have been killed and greater than 12,000 buildings and houses destroyed within the blazes. The fires are prone to be among the many most harmful in California historical past, the state fireplace company CalFire mentioned.
When the primary flames ignited, Bass, 71, was abroad on a diplomatic mission to Ghana. She was a part of a delegation President Biden despatched to the African nation for the inauguration of Ghanaian President John Dramani Mahama. She hurried house on a army aircraft quickly after information of the hearth emergency reached her, however she didn’t return to Los Angeles for a full 24 hours after catastrophe struck.
LA MAYOR KAREN BASS POSED FOR PHOTOS AT A COCKTAIL PARTY AS PALISADES FIRE EXPLODED
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass faces heavy criticism for her administration through the fireplace emergency in Los Angeles. (AP Photograph/Richard Vogel)
Her preliminary absence has prompted harsh criticism from LA residents, who’re questioning Bass’ management amid the disaster. In that context, her determination to place Williams on administrative depart can be underneath contemporary scrutiny.
The Los Angeles mayor’s workplace didn’t reply to requests for remark.
Bass appointed Williams to be deputy mayor in February 2023 and charged him with overseeing public security within the metropolis.
EX-OBAMA STAFFER AND LIBERAL PODCASTER SLAMS LA MAYOR FOR BEING OVERSEAS DURING WILDFIRES
Firefighter Danny Sackett, proper, units apart a non secular statue from the rubble of a destroyed house, joined by the Kitsap County firefighting strike crew from Bainbridge Island, Wash., as they examine for decent spots and structural injury to houses destroyed by the Palisades Fireplace within the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles, Friday, Jan. 17, 2025. (AP Photograph/Richard Vogel)
Williams was positioned accountable for the metropolis’s police division, fireplace division, the Port of Los Angeles Police, the Los Angeles World Airport Police and the town’s Emergency Administration Division, native information station KABC reported. Williams beforehand served seven years as the chief director of the Los Angeles County Sheriff Civilian Oversight Fee.
He additionally served as deputy mayor underneath Mayor James Hahn, throughout which period he oversaw the Division of Transportation, Public Works and Info Expertise Company.
Williams’ lawyer Dmitry Gorin didn’t instantly reply to a request for remark.
Gorin beforehand launched an announcement denying that his shopper had something to do with the bomb menace made in opposition to Metropolis Corridor.
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“Mr. Williams strongly maintains his innocence and intends to vigorously fight the allegations. Importantly, he has not been arrested, nor charged, and will continue cooperating with the investigation through attorneys. He has a lengthy career of public service and is presumed innocent of these allegations. We urge the public to allow the investigation process to play out and not to prejudge the facts of this case before they are known,” Gorin mentioned final month.
The FBI didn’t reply to a request for remark.
