FBI Raids LAUSD Superintendent's Home and District Office in Major Investigation
In a dramatic development that has sent shockwaves through the education community, FBI agents executed search warrants at the Los Angeles Unified School District headquarters and the personal residence of Superintendent Alberto Carvalho on Wednesday. The raids, conducted with court-authorized warrants, have raised significant questions about potential misconduct within the nation's second-largest school district.
Emergency Board Meeting and Employment Discussions
The LAUSD Board of Education convened an emergency closed-door session on Thursday, spending several hours deliberating Carvalho's employment status with the district. These discussions were expected to continue into Friday afternoon as board members grappled with the implications of the federal investigation. This emergency meeting occurred just days after Carvalho had publicly announced the district's impressive 87% graduation rate and decreased absenteeism at a press conference held at Jefferson High School in South Los Angeles.
Connection to Bankrupt EdTech Company AllHere
Multiple media reports indicate the investigation centers on AllHere, an educational technology company that collapsed into bankruptcy after receiving a multimillion-dollar contract from LAUSD. The company had developed a chatbot for the district in 2024, which Carvalho had enthusiastically promoted as "unprecedented in American public education." The district paid approximately $3 million to AllHere before severing ties with the company months later.
The investigation has revealed troubling connections between district officials and the failed company. Carvalho had attended events with AllHere founder Joanna Smith-Griffin, who now faces fraud charges related to the company's collapse. Despite his public advocacy for the technology, Carvalho has claimed he was not personally involved in hiring the company and announced plans to establish a taskforce to investigate the matter.
Additional Search Locations and Personal Connections
FBI agents expanded their search beyond Los Angeles, executing a warrant at a location near Miami where Carvalho previously oversaw schools for more than a decade. This Florida property reportedly belonged to Debra Kerr, who had worked with AllHands and maintained ties to Carvalho. According to investigative reports, Kerr's son was an AllHands employee who had pitched the technology to LAUSD officials.
Timing and Political Implications
The raids occurred at a particularly sensitive time for the district, coming shortly after the school board voted to extend Carvalho's contract for four additional years. The investigation has also fueled speculation about potential political motivations, given Carvalho's outspoken criticism of immigration enforcement operations near schools. The superintendent has been vocal about protecting students and families from ICE activities during graduation ceremonies.
The U.S. Attorney's Office in Los Angeles confirmed the searches were conducted "pursuant to an under seal, court-authorized warrant" but declined to provide further details about the ongoing investigation. As the community awaits answers, the future leadership of LAUSD hangs in the balance while federal authorities continue their examination of the district's dealings with the failed educational technology venture.
