FBI Suspects Los Angeles Deputy Mayor of Making Bomb Threats Against City Hall

FBI agents searched the home of the city official who oversees public safety in Los Angeles this week as part of an investigation into whether he made a bomb threat against City Hall, officials said.

A statement from the office of Mayor Karen Bass said she was notified of Tuesday's search at the residence of Brian K. Williams, her deputy mayor for public safety, as part of an probe into an alleged threat, ABC reports.

The Los Angeles Police Department confirmed that officers responded "earlier this year" to a bomb threat against City Hall.

“Our initial investigation revealed that the source of the threat was likely from Brian Williams, Deputy Mayor for Public Safety," the department said in a statement Wednesday. "Due to the Department’s working relationship with Mr. Williams, the investigation was referred to the FBI. The FBI remains the investigating agency.”

Williams’ attorney, Dmitry Gorin, told the Los Angeles Times that his client “strongly maintains his innocence and intends to vigorously fight the allegations.”

Williams has not been arrested or charged and Gorin said his client was cooperating with investigators.