The superintendent of Los Angeles public schools, Alberto Carvalho, has resigned five months after the FBI served search warrants at his home and the LA Unified school district headquarters. Carvalho had been placed on administrative leave following news of the federal investigation. He denied any wrongdoing earlier this year and had requested reinstatement as head of the nation's second-largest school district, which serves more than 500,000 students.
Investigation Details Remain Undisclosed
Authorities have not provided details about the nature of the investigation involving the district, nor have they accused Carvalho of any crimes. The Los Angeles Board of Education stated: "The Board remains steadfast in its commitment to ensuring stability, continuity, and continued progress through strong leadership. Our focus remains unchanged: providing every student with a high-quality education, supporting our dedicated workforce, and maintaining the trust of the communities we serve." The statement also confirmed that Andrés Chait, who has been acting superintendent, will continue in that role until a permanent decision is made.
Connection to AllHere AI Chatbot Deal
At the time of the FBI raids in February, agents also searched a third location near Miami. The Miami Herald reported that the Florida property belonged to Debra Kerr, who previously worked with AllHere, an education technology company that had a contract with Los Angeles schools before it collapsed and its leader was indicted for fraud. In 2024, Carvalho heavily promoted a deal with AllHere for an AI chatbot named "Ed" designed to assist students. However, about three months after unveiling the technology and paying the company $3 million, the district terminated its relationship with AllHere, which subsequently filed for bankruptcy. Months later, founder Joanna Smith-Griffin was charged with securities and wire fraud, along with identity theft.
Carvalho's Denial and Legal Response
At the time, Carvalho denied personal involvement in the selection of AllHere, according to the Los Angeles Times. A statement from his legal representative at Holland + Knight said: "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. While the government's investigation remains ongoing, no evidence has been presented by prosecutors supporting any allegation that Mr. Carvalho violated federal law." An email seeking comment was sent to the law firm on Monday. Following the search of school headquarters, LA Unified said it was cooperating with investigators and had no further information.
Background and Prior Role
Carvalho became superintendent of LA schools in 2022 after previously leading the public schools in Miami. His resignation marks a significant development in the ongoing federal investigation, which continues to unfold without public disclosure of its focus.
