A Los Angeles deputy mayor has been accused of making a hoax bomb threat against City Hall.
“Earlier this year, the LAPD responded to a bomb threat against Los Angeles City Hall. Our initial investigation determined that the source of the threat likely came from Brian Williams, Deputy Mayor for Public Safety,” the Los Angeles Police Department said.
The FBI searched Williams’ home this week in connection with the alleged threat from earlier this year, officials said Wednesday.
Williams has been placed on administrative leave, Mayor Karen Bass said in a statement.
“The mayor takes this matter very seriously,” the statement said. “When the threat was reported, the LAPD investigated and determined there was no immediate danger. After additional investigation, the LAPD has referred this matter to the FBI for further investigation.”
Williams’ law firm did not immediately respond to a phone call and email seeking comment Wednesday afternoon.
Authorities did not specify when the threat was made.
The investigation into the threat and Williams was turned over to the FBI because of the police department’s working relationship with Williams, officials said.
A spokesman for the FBI in Los Angeles declined to comment Wednesday afternoon.
This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
