In a dramatic development that has sent shockwaves through the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD), FBI agents executed coordinated raids on Wednesday, targeting the district headquarters, the Los Angeles-area home of Superintendent Alberto Carvalho, and an additional location near Miami. The searches were conducted under a sealed, court-authorized warrant, as confirmed by a spokesperson for the U.S. Attorney's Office in Los Angeles, though further details on the nature of the investigation remain undisclosed.
Emergency Board Meeting and Employment Discussions
The LAUSD Board of Education convened an emergency closed-door session on Thursday, lasting several hours, to deliberate on Carvalho's employment status with the nation's second-largest school district. Discussions were anticipated to resume on Friday afternoon, highlighting the gravity of the situation and the board's urgent response to the federal probe.
Connection to Defunct EdTech Company AllHere
Media reports have strongly indicated that the FBI investigation is tied to the now-bankrupt educational technology firm AllHere, which secured a multimillion-dollar contract with LAUSD in 2024 to develop an AI chatbot. Superintendent Carvalho was a vocal advocate for the chatbot, describing it as "unprecedented in American public education" and participating in events alongside the company's founder, Joanna Smith-Griffin. The district allocated approximately $3 million to AllHere for this initiative.
However, the partnership dissolved abruptly just months later, with AllHere collapsing into bankruptcy and Smith-Griffin facing fraud charges. In the aftermath, Carvalho asserted that he was not personally involved in the hiring of the company and announced plans to establish a taskforce to investigate the matter internally, according to the Los Angeles Times.
Additional Raid Location and Personal Ties
The FBI's search extended to a property in Florida, reportedly belonging to Debra Kerr, who had associations with AllHands, as reported by the Miami Herald. Kerr was said to have connections to Carvalho, and The 74 noted that her son, an AllHands employee, had pitched the technology to LAUSD. This adds a layer of complexity to the investigation, suggesting potential personal or professional linkages that may be under scrutiny.
Context of Recent District Decisions and Controversies
The raids have intensified concerns within the district, coming shortly after the board voted to extend Carvalho's contract as superintendent for an additional four years. Furthermore, the investigation has fueled speculation that Carvalho might have been targeted due to his outspoken stance on immigration enforcement. He has publicly criticized operations near schools, and LAUSD has committed to safeguarding students and families from ICE activities during graduations, adding a political dimension to the unfolding events.
As the community awaits more information, the focus remains on the implications for LAUSD's leadership and the broader trust in educational technology investments. The Associated Press contributed to the reporting of this developing story, underscoring its significance in the realms of education and law enforcement.
