FREE
Despite protests, LA Zoo elephants relocated to Tulsa
LA Metro doubles down on safety in $9.4B spending plan for 2025-26
PG 02
PG 32
VISIT HEYSOCAL.COM
MONDAY, MAY 26-JUNE 01, 2025
Ex-LA deputy mayor to plead guilty to reporting fake bomb threat
NO. 225
VOL. 14,
LA County launches free soil lead testing program By Joe Taglieri
By City News Service
B
rian Williams, a former Los Angeles deputy mayor, has agreed to plead guilty to a felony charge for reporting a fake bomb threat to City Hall last year, prosecutors announced Thursday. Williams, 61, of Pasadena is charged with a single count of threats regarding fire and explosives, a felony carrying a possible prison sentence of up to 10 years, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office. According to his plea agreement, on Oct. 3, while serving as Mayor Karen Bass’ deputy mayor of public safety, Williams participated in a virtual meeting with multiple people in connection with his official duties. During the meeting, Williams used the Google Voice application on his personal cellphone to place a call to his city-issued phone, court papers show. Williams then left the virtual meeting and called the Los Angeles Police Department’s chief of staff, falsely claiming he had just received a bomb threat to City Hall on his city-issued phone from an unknown man, according to federal prosecutors. About 10 minutes later, Williams sent a text message to Bass and several highranking city officials and falsely reported, “Bomb threat: I received phone call on my city cell at 10:48 am this morning. The male caller stated that ‘he was tired of
Brian Williams. | Photo courtesy of the Los Angeles School Police Management Association/Facebook
the city support of Israel, and he has decided to place a bomb in City Hall. It might be in the rotunda.’ I immediately contacted the chief of staff of LAPD, they are going to send a number of officers over to do a search of the building and to determine if anyone else received a threat.” Williams then sent additional text messages to Bass and other city officials stating, “At this time, there is no need for us to evacuate
the building, I’m meeting with the threat management officers within the next 10 minutes. In light of the Jewish holidays, we are taking this (threat) a little more seriously. I will keep you posted.” LAPD officers responded to City Hall to investigate the threat Williams reported. Police searched the building and did not locate any suspicious packages or devices. Williams described to police the threatening call he
joet@beaconmedianews.com claimed to have received, showed them the record of an incoming call that appeared as a blocked number on his city-issued cell phone and said it was the unknown man who conveyed the threat, court papers show. In fact, that incoming call record was the call Williams had placed to himself from the Google Voice application on his personal cell phone, federal prosecutors said. At no time did Williams intend to carry out the threat, his plea agreement states. Williams retired from city government more than a month ago and prior to that, when the FBI began an investigation into the bomb threat, he was placed on administrative leave. “Like many, we were shocked when these allegations were first made and we are saddened by this conclusion,” Zach Seidl, a spokesperson for Bass, said Thursday. Williams is expected to make his initial appearance in federal court in downtown Los Angeles in the coming weeks. He has agreed to plead guilty on a date to be determined following his arraignment. Williams joined Bass’ office in March 2023. He was tasked with working closely with critical safety departments such as police, fire, Los See Ex-deputy mayor Page 32
LA County is offering free soil testing for residential properties downwind of the Eaton Fire. | Photo courtesy of the Los Angeles County Public Health Department
T
he Los Angeles County Department of Public Health launched a soil lead testing program Thursday for properties downwind of the Eaton Fire, which devastated areas of Altadena, Pasadena and Sierra Madre in January. Officials said the program, which is expected to continue until December, enables residents to collect soil samples and submit them for testing. The county has provided instructions on how residents can collect samples from their yards, then drop off the soil in Altadena at the One Stop Permit Center — Public Health Table at 464 W. Woodbury Road, Suite 210. The center is open weekdays 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Certified laboratories contracted by the county will pick up the samples and do the testing, according to the health department. Within 10 days residents will get an email with test results
includes a link to a webpage that helps interpret results and offers health-oriented guidance on next steps. “Los Angeles County is committed to being responsive to the needs of our residents impacted by the Eaton Fire, which is why we’re providing soil testing resources and support to ensure residents can make informed decisions about their health,” Board of Supervisors Chair Kathryn Barger, whose 3rd District is where the Eaton Fire struck, said in a statement. “The Department of Public Health’s soil testing program is free, convenient and will provide concerned residents accurate information about the environmental health of their soil.” Public Health Director Barbara Ferrer noted “how deeply concerned residents are about the safety of their homes and neighborhoods. This soil testing program
See Lead testing Page 31
OUR 2025 SUMMER CAMP GUIDE IS HERE!