FBI Raids Los Angeles School District HQ, Leader's Home

Federal investigation underway into nation's second-largest school district and its superintendent

Published on Feb. 26, 2026

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The FBI executed search warrants at the Los Angeles Unified School District headquarters and the home of its superintendent, Alberto Carvalho, a former Superintendent of the Year who was knighted by Spain. Federal officials have not disclosed details about the nature of the investigation, but the district says it is cooperating.

Why it matters

The raid on the headquarters of the nation's second-largest school district and the home of its high-profile superintendent is a significant development that raises questions about potential wrongdoing within the district's leadership. Carvalho has been praised for academic improvements but also faced scrutiny over technology deals and nonprofit fundraising during his tenure.

The details

The FBI also searched a third location near Miami, where Carvalho previously led the public schools. Carvalho has been lauded for the district's academic performance improvements in Los Angeles, but both the LA and Miami-Dade districts drew scrutiny under his watch, including over an education technology deal and nonprofit fundraising.

  • The FBI served search warrants on Wednesday, February 26, 2026.
  • In 2024, Carvalho touted an education technology company that later collapsed into bankruptcy.
  • In 2020, a nonprofit Carvalho founded solicited a $1.57 million donation from an online education company the Miami-Dade district was planning to use but later dropped.

The players

Alberto Carvalho

Superintendent of the Los Angeles Unified School District, a former Superintendent of the Year who was knighted by Spain for his work.

Rukelt Dalberis

Spokesperson for the FBI's Los Angeles field office.

Joanna Smith-Griffin

Founder of the education technology company AllHere, who was charged with securities and wire fraud, along with identity theft.

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What they’re saying

“After Smith-Griffin was indicted, Carvalho said he would appoint a task force to examine what went wrong with the LAUSD project. There have been no announcements of any task force being appointed.”

— Arden Dier, Author (newser.com)

What’s next

The judge overseeing the case will determine whether any charges will be filed against Carvalho or the school district based on the findings of the FBI investigation.

The takeaway

This high-profile raid on the nation's second-largest school district and its superintendent raises serious concerns about potential wrongdoing within the district's leadership, underscoring the need for greater transparency and accountability in how public education funds are managed and spent.