LAUSD superintendent seeks return after FBI raids

Alberto Carvalho, the superintendent of Los Angeles Unified School District, has asked to be restored to his position after being placed on paid administrative leave last month. The request was included in his first public statement since federal agents searched his home and office in late February.

“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,” read a statement provided by a spokesperson for Carvalho through the law firm Holland & Knight.

The statement said the government’s investigation is ongoing and no evidence presented by prosecutors supports allegations that Carvalho violated federal law.

The statement, first reported by the L.A. Times, was released nearly two weeks after federal agents searched Carvalho’s San Pedro home and district offices. The reason for the searches is unknown. A DOJ spokesperson said the agency has a court-authorized warrant but declined to provide additional details.

The L.A. searches are linked to a search of a South Florida home the same day. That property, first identified by local media outlets, belongs to a woman associated with the company LAUSD contracted with to create a short-lived AI tool. “Ed” was designed to be a "personal assistant" capable of nudging students who were falling behind and providing resources for learning.

Within three months of its March 2024 debut, the company behind Ed, AllHere, furloughed the bulk of its staff; its CEO was later charged with fraud.

How the district responded

Two days after the search, the LAUSD board voted unanimously to place Carvalho on paid administrative leave “pending investigation,” and appointed longtime administrator Andres Chait as acting superintendent.

The district has not responded to LAist’s questions about the reasoning for placing Carvalho on leave or whether the “investigation” referenced is federal or internal.

“Mr. Carvalho remains confident that the evidence will ultimately demonstrate that he acted appropriately and in the best interests of students,” read the statement. “We hope the school board reinstates him promptly to his position as superintendent.”

In response to LAist’s questions about Carvalho’s desire to be reinstated, an LAUSD spokesperson wrote, “the Los Angeles Unified Board of Education respects his right to defend himself.”

LAUSD Board President Scott Schmerelson did not respond to LAist’s request for an interview or comment about Carvalho’s statement.

Carvalho has been superintendent of LAUSD since 2022, and the board renewed his contract in 2025. His tenure at LAUSD has included a number of wins for the district, including gains in test scores, participation in AP classes and a decline in the rate of students chronically missing school.

“The achievements and success of the students, teachers, and staff of Los Angeles Unified remain his foremost focus,” the statement read. “Mr. Carvalho also expresses his sincere gratitude to all those who have extended their well wishes and prayers.”