FBI agents conducted a search at the residence of a deputy mayor in Los Angeles this week, as part of an inquiry surrounding a potential bomb threat directed at City Hall. The investigation involves Brian K. Williams, who serves as the deputy mayor for public safety, and city officials indicated that Mayor Karen Bass was informed of the search which took place on Tuesday.

According to a statement from the Los Angeles Police Department, there was a response earlier in the year to a bomb threat against City Hall. The LAPD noted that preliminary investigations suggested that Brian Williams may have been the likely source of this threat. Due to the LAPD’s ongoing relationship with Williams, the case was forwarded to the FBI, which is now overseeing the investigation.

Dmitry Gorin, Williams’ attorney, expressed to local media that his client maintains his innocence and plans to contest the allegations strongly. Meanwhile, a spokesperson for Mayor Bass announced that Williams was placed on administrative leave as a precautionary measure in light of the serious nature of the allegations. The spokesperson emphasized that when the threat was initially reported, the LAPD determined there was no immediate risk to public safety, and after further investigation, the case was handed to the FBI for continued inquiry.

As of now, Williams has not faced any arrest or charges. Gorin confirmed that Williams is cooperating fully with the investigation. “He has a long history of dedicated public service and should be considered innocent of any wrongdoing until proven otherwise,” Gorin stated.

Williams has been serving in his current role for almost two years, focusing on matters like police hiring practices, public safety expenditure, and the search for a new police chief. Additionally, he previously held the position of deputy mayor between 2001 and 2005 during the term of Mayor James K. Hahn, and prior to that, he worked for several years as an assistant city attorney in Los Angeles.