LA Schools Superintendent Placed on Leave Amid FBI Investigation

Alberto Carvalho under scrutiny over $3 million deal with bankrupt chatbot firm

Published on Mar. 2, 2026

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Alberto Carvalho, the superintendent of the Los Angeles Unified School District, has been placed on paid leave amid an FBI investigation. The investigation involves the district's $3 million deal with a now-bankrupt education technology company, AllHere, which collapsed shortly after the contract was signed in 2024.

Why it matters

The investigation into Carvalho and the AllHere deal raises questions about oversight and accountability in the nation's second-largest school district. The case also highlights the challenges districts face in navigating the education technology landscape, where some firms have been accused of fraud.

The details

The FBI served search warrants at Carvalho's home and the district's headquarters earlier this week. Authorities have not disclosed the nature of the investigation, and Carvalho has not been accused of any wrongdoing. The school board voted unanimously to place Carvalho on leave pending the outcome of the investigation.

  • In 2024, Carvalho touted a $3 million deal with AllHere for an AI chatbot named 'Ed' to help students.
  • About three months after unveiling the technology, the district dropped its dealings with AllHere, which then collapsed into bankruptcy.
  • Months later, AllHere's founder was charged with securities and wire fraud, as well as identity theft.

The players

Alberto Carvalho

The superintendent of the Los Angeles Unified School District, who was previously praised for improving academic performance in the Miami-Dade school system.

Andres Chait

The chief of school operations, who was named acting superintendent after Carvalho was placed on leave.

Joanna Smith-Griffin

The founder of AllHere, the education technology company that had a contract with the Los Angeles schools before it collapsed and its leader was indicted for fraud.

Debra Kerr

An education technology salesperson who connected AllHere with the Los Angeles school district, and who claimed she was never paid her $630,000 commission for the deal.

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What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Carvalho to be released on bail.

The takeaway

This investigation highlights the need for stronger oversight and accountability in large school districts when it comes to technology contracts and partnerships. The case also raises concerns about the influence of education technology companies and their relationships with district leaders.