The LA mayor's office remains mum on the deputy who oversaw the fire department and was put on leave for a suspected bomb threat.

The city official responsible for the Los Angeles fire department was absent from duty in December, as he was placed on administrative leave while under investigation for a bomb threat against City Hall that occurred earlier in the year.

Last month, the FBI raided the Pasadena, California home of LA Deputy Mayor Brian Williams in connection to the investigation of a bomb threat made against City Hall in September. The Los Angeles Police Department referred the case to the FBI after determining Williams was likely the "source of the threat," as reported by FOX 11 Los Angeles.

"The LAPD stated that due to its working relationship with Mr. Williams, the investigation was referred to the FBI, which remains the investigating agency."

The FBI notified Mayor Karen Bass of a search, prompting the immediate placement of her office's employee, Williams, on administrative leave. This occurred three weeks before the fires broke out in Los Angeles County, causing significant damage to four square miles of urban area, as reported by the Associated Press.

Despite the heroic efforts of firefighters and calming winds, the Palisades and Eaton Fires are still burning, with at least 27 people killed and over 12,000 buildings and homes destroyed. These fires are likely to be among the most destructive in California history, according to the state fire agency CalFire.

Bass, 71, was on a diplomatic mission in Ghana when the first flames ignited. She was part of a delegation President Biden sent to the African nation for the inauguration of Ghanaian President John Dramani Mahama. She hurried home on a military plane soon after news of the fire emergency reached her, but she did not return to Los Angeles for a full 24 hours after disaster struck.

The criticism of Bass' leadership has intensified due to her initial absence, and her decision to put Williams on administrative leave is now being closely examined.

The Los Angeles mayor's office did not respond to requests for comment.

In February 2023, Bass appointed Williams as the city's deputy mayor and tasked him with managing public safety.

The Los Angeles County Sheriff Civilian Oversight Commission's former executive director, Williams, was appointed head of the city's police department, fire department, Port of Los Angeles Police, Los Angeles World Airport Police, and Emergency Management Department, according to KABC news.

As deputy mayor under Mayor James Hahn, he managed the Department of Transportation, Public Works, and Information Technology Agency.

Dmitry Gorin, attorney for Williams, did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Previously, Gorin issued a statement asserting that his client had no involvement in the bomb threat against City Hall.

Gorin stated last month that Mr. Williams strongly maintains his innocence and intends to vigorously fight the allegations. Although he has not been arrested or charged, he will continue cooperating with the investigation through attorneys. Mr. Williams 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.

The FBI did not respond to a request for comment.