LA Schools Chief Denies Wrongdoing After FBI Raids

Alberto Carvalho says he has always followed the law as prosecutors investigate a tech contract.

Mar. 12, 2026 at 12:15am

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Alberto Carvalho, the suspended superintendent of the Los Angeles Unified School District, has issued his first public response after FBI agents raided his home and office last month. Through his lawyers, Carvalho denies any wrongdoing and is urging the school board to reinstate him to his role, which he has held since 2022. No charges have been filed, but the federal investigation appears to be tied to a years-old criminal probe into a $6 million AI chatbot contract between the district and a now-defunct tech startup called AllHere.

Why it matters

Carvalho's suspension comes at a difficult time for the nation's second-largest school district, which is facing budget problems and the threat of a teachers' strike. The FBI investigation has raised concerns about potential corruption and misuse of public funds within the district's leadership.

The details

On the day of the FBI raid, Carvalho and his wife were handcuffed and placed in a vehicle while agents searched their home. The FBI also searched the Florida home of AllHere consultant Debra Kerr, a longtime associate of Carvalho. No charges have been filed, but the investigation appears to be tied to the $6 million contract between LAUSD and AllHere, which imploded amid fraud allegations and has resulted in criminal charges against its CEO.

  • On February 25, 2026, FBI agents raided Carvalho's home and LAUSD office.
  • Carvalho was placed on paid leave two days after the raids, on February 27, 2026.

The players

Alberto Carvalho

The suspended superintendent of the Los Angeles Unified School District, who has held the role since 2022. Carvalho denies any wrongdoing and is urging the school board to reinstate him.

AllHere

A tech startup that landed a $6 million AI chatbot contract with LAUSD before imploding amid fraud allegations. The FBI investigation appears to be tied to this contract.

Debra Kerr

A consultant for AllHere and a longtime associate of Carvalho. The FBI also searched Kerr's Florida home as part of the investigation.

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What they’re saying

“I have always followed the law and prosecutors have shown no evidence that I broke it.”

— Alberto Carvalho, Suspended Superintendent, Los Angeles Unified School District

What’s next

The school board will decide whether to reinstate Carvalho to his role as superintendent.

The takeaway

The FBI investigation into Carvalho and the LAUSD's tech contracts has raised concerns about potential corruption and misuse of public funds within the district's leadership, underscoring the need for greater transparency and accountability in how taxpayer dollars are spent on education.