The superintendent of Los Angeles public schools, currently on paid administrative leave during an ongoing federal investigation, has publicly denied any wrongdoing and formally requested his immediate reinstatement to lead the nation's second-largest school district.
Federal Investigation and Superintendent's Response
Alberto Carvalho, who has served as superintendent of the Los Angeles Unified School District since 2022, released a statement through his legal representatives on Wednesday, March 11, 2026. The statement, distributed by the law firm Holland & Knight, asserts that Carvalho acted appropriately and in the best interests of students throughout his tenure.
"Mr. Carvalho remains confident that the evidence will ultimately demonstrate that he acted appropriately and in the best interests of students," the statement declared. "We hope the school board reinstates him promptly to his position as superintendent."
FBI Searches and District Actions
The FBI executed search warrants on February 25 at Carvalho's personal residence and the LA Unified School District headquarters. Just two days later, on February 27, the district's Board of Education voted unanimously to place Carvalho on paid leave pending the outcome of the federal investigation.
Authorities have not disclosed specific details about the nature of the investigation involving the massive school district, which serves more than 500,000 students across Los Angeles. Importantly, no criminal charges have been filed against Carvalho at this time.
Connection to Education Technology Company
The federal investigation appears connected to the district's dealings with AllHere, an education technology company that previously held a contract with Los Angeles schools before collapsing into bankruptcy. The FBI also searched a third location near Miami, Florida, which the Miami Herald reported belonged to Debra Kerr, a former employee of AllHere.
In 2024, Carvalho enthusiastically promoted a partnership with AllHere for an artificial intelligence chatbot named "Ed," designed to assist students with various educational needs. The district paid the company approximately $3 million before terminating the contract about three months after unveiling the technology.
Company Collapse and Fraud Charges
AllHere subsequently collapsed into bankruptcy, and months later, founder Joanna Smith-Griffin faced criminal charges including securities fraud, wire fraud, and identity theft. At the time these charges were announced, Carvalho denied any personal involvement in selecting AllHere for the district contract, according to reports from the Los Angeles Times.
Wednesday's statement marks Carvalho's first public comments since the FBI searches occurred last month. "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," the statement emphasized.
District Cooperation and Leadership Changes
Following the search of school district headquarters, LA Unified officials stated they were fully cooperating with federal investigators but had no additional information to share. The Board of Education explained that their decision to place Carvalho on leave was intended to minimize disruption to the district's primary mission of educating students.
Andres Chait, the district's chief of school operations, has been appointed as acting superintendent during Carvalho's absence. Carvalho previously led Miami's public school system before assuming leadership of the Los Angeles district in 2022.
The superintendent's legal team emphasized in their statement that "while the government's investigation remains ongoing, no evidence has been presented by prosecutors supporting any allegation that Mr. Carvalho violated federal law." The situation continues to develop as both the federal investigation and district leadership decisions unfold.
