The superintendent of Los Angeles public schools, Alberto Carvalho, who is currently on paid leave due to a federal investigation, has issued a statement denying any wrongdoing and seeking reinstatement as the head of the nation's second-largest school district. Carvalho's leave followed the FBI's execution of search warrants on February 25, 2026, at both his residence and the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) headquarters. Just two days later, the LAUSD Board of Education unanimously voted to place him on leave pending the outcome of the investigation.
The statement, distributed by the law firm Holland & Knight representing Carvalho, expresses his confidence that the evidence will demonstrate he acted appropriately and prioritized students' interests. "We hope the school board reinstates him promptly to his position as superintendent," the statement read.
While the authorities have not disclosed specific details regarding the nature of the investigation affecting the district—which serves over 500,000 students—there have been no criminal charges filed against Carvalho. This investigation appears to have broader implications, as the FBI also conducted searches at a third location in Miami. According to the Miami Herald, this property is associated with Debra Kerr, a former employee of AllHere, an education technology company that held a contract with the LAUSD before its collapse due to allegations of fraud against its leadership.
In 2024, Carvalho prominently promoted a deal with AllHere for an AI chatbot aimed at assisting students. However, after investing approximately $3 million in this technology and unveiling it, the district terminated its dealings with AllHere a few months later. Subsequently, founder Joanna Smith-Griffin was indicted on charges of securities and wire fraud, along with identity theft.
In the past, Carvalho has denied any personal involvement in the selection process of AllHere. The statement released on Wednesday marks his first public comment following the searches initiated last month. "Mr. Carvalho respects the rule of law and the investigative process and has always acted in the best interests of students and within the bounds of the law," the statement affirmed. Furthermore, it noted that "no evidence has been presented by prosecutors supporting any allegation that Mr. Carvalho violated federal law" during the ongoing investigation.
Following the searches at the LAUSD headquarters, the district announced its cooperation with investigators but did not provide additional information. The board's decision to place Carvalho on leave was framed as a measure to minimize disruption to the district's educational mission. In the interim, Andres Chait has been appointed as the acting superintendent.
Alberto Carvalho has served as the superintendent of LAUSD since 2022, following his tenure leading public schools in Miami. His leadership and decision-making during this investigation are now under scrutiny, as the situation develops further.
