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FBI Raids Los Angeles School District Headquarters Amid Tech Contract Probe
The Los Angeles Unified School District’s governing board has called a special closed session meeting Thursday to discuss Superintendent Alberto Carvalho, following FBI raids at his home and district headquarters. The meeting comes amid an expanding federal investigation that also targeted a property near Miami with connections to Carvalho’s previous role in Florida’s education system.
Federal authorities executed search warrants Wednesday at multiple locations but have remained tight-lipped about the nature of their investigation into the nation’s second-largest school district. In a brief statement, district officials acknowledged the situation, saying they are “cooperating with the investigation” but offered no additional details.
The investigation appears to have connections to the district’s troubled partnership with AllHere, an education technology company that received a $3 million contract from Los Angeles schools before collapsing into bankruptcy. The Miami Herald reported that FBI agents searched a Southwest Ranches home belonging to Debra Kerr, who previously worked with AllHere and had longstanding ties to Carvalho from his tenure in Miami-Dade.
Carvalho heavily promoted AllHere’s AI chatbot called “Ed” in 2024, describing the technology as “unprecedented in American public education.” He appeared at conferences alongside AllHere’s founder, Joanna Smith-Griffin, to showcase the technology. However, the district terminated its relationship with AllHere approximately three months after unveiling the system and making the multi-million-dollar payment.
The tech company subsequently filed for bankruptcy, and Smith-Griffin was later indicted on securities fraud, wire fraud, and identity theft charges. Though Carvalho denied personal involvement in selecting AllHere for the contract, questions have persisted about the procurement process and oversight failures.
Education technology publication The 74 reported that Kerr claimed she was never paid her $630,000 commission for facilitating the AllHere deal with Los Angeles schools. According to their reporting, Kerr maintained professional relationships with Carvalho dating back to his leadership of the Miami-Dade school system, and her son, who worked for AllHere, reportedly pitched the technology to Los Angeles school leaders after Carvalho took over there.
Prior to these developments, Carvalho had built a reputation as an accomplished education administrator. During his five-year tenure in Los Angeles, he received praise for improvements in academic performance across the district. His leadership in Miami-Dade County Public Schools, Florida’s largest school district, earned him national recognition, including being named Superintendent of the Year by the national superintendents association in 2014. In 2021, Spain knighted the Portugal-born administrator for expanding Spanish-language programs in Miami-Dade schools.
Carvalho arrived in Los Angeles at a pivotal moment when the district had received substantial funding from state and federal COVID-19 relief initiatives but was still grappling with pandemic-related challenges, including learning losses and declining enrollment. He had previously clashed with Florida Governor Ron DeSantis over mask mandates in schools during the pandemic.
In Los Angeles, Carvalho positioned himself as an outspoken critic of aggressive immigration enforcement actions, particularly following raids in the city last year. His advocacy for immigrant students added to his profile as a progressive education leader.
The Miami-Dade school system acknowledged awareness of the investigation involving their former superintendent but declined further comment. FBI officials confirmed their search of the Southwest Ranches residence but provided no additional information about the ongoing investigation.
As the probe continues, Thursday’s closed session meeting will likely determine the immediate future of Carvalho’s leadership and the district’s response to the widening federal investigation.
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10 Comments
Interesting development in the Los Angeles school system. While the details are still emerging, any federal investigation into potential misconduct warrants close attention. I hope the board can get to the bottom of this matter and restore public trust if wrongdoing is found.
Agreed. Transparency and accountability are crucial when public funds and student wellbeing are at stake. The board will need to carefully balance their oversight role with respecting due process.
Anytime the federal government executes search warrants on a school district, it’s a red flag. I’ll be following this story closely to see what facts emerge and whether the Los Angeles board takes decisive steps to address any misconduct or systemic issues.
Allegations of mismanagement in a major school district like Los Angeles are always troubling. I hope the board’s review is thorough and that they take appropriate action if wrongdoing is uncovered, while also protecting the education of students.
Any allegations of mismanagement or improper influence in a major school district’s contracting process are concerning. I’ll be following this story closely to see what the Los Angeles board uncovers and what steps they take to address any issues that come to light.
This FBI probe into the Los Angeles school district’s technology contracts raises concerning questions. I’m curious to learn more about the specific allegations and whether there were any conflicts of interest or misuse of public resources involved.
Good point. The public deserves a full accounting of how taxpayer money was spent and any potential impropriety. Hopefully the investigation can shed light on the issues without unduly disrupting the district’s critical work.
It’s unsettling to see the Los Angeles school system embroiled in this kind of controversy. The public deserves answers, but the board will need to balance their investigative duties with ensuring educational continuity for students. A measured, fact-based approach will be crucial.
The FBI’s involvement suggests this is a serious matter that merits close scrutiny. As a taxpayer and parent, I’m concerned about any potential abuse of public funds or improper influence in the school district’s technology contracts. Transparency will be key going forward.
While the details are still hazy, this FBI probe into the Los Angeles school district’s technology dealings raises some worrying questions. I hope the board’s review is thorough and that they take appropriate action to protect taxpayer dollars and student interests.