Federal agents delivered a startling blow to the nation’s second-largest school system on Wednesday, February 25, 2026, as the FBI executed search warrants at the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) headquarters and the residence of its highly decorated Superintendent, Alberto Carvalho. In a synchronized operation, a third location near Miami, Florida, connected to Carvalho’s previous leadership, also faced federal scrutiny. While official details remain tightly sealed, external reports strongly suggest the probe centers on serious financial allegations and past controversies surrounding the esteemed education leader.
This dramatic development has sent shockwaves through Los Angeles and the broader education community, raising questions about accountability and transparency at the highest levels of public school administration. The immediate impact on LAUSD, which serves over half a million students, remains to be seen as the investigation progresses.
The Unexpected Federal Intervention
The morning of February 25, 2026, brought an unprecedented scene to Los Angeles and South Florida. FBI agents, some reportedly armed and in camouflage, descended upon Superintendent Alberto Carvalho’s home in San Pedro, California, around 6 AM Pacific Time. Simultaneously, federal personnel were present at the sprawling LAUSD headquarters in downtown Los Angeles. Eyewitnesses described a significant federal presence, with agents later seen departing Carvalho’s residence.
In a related action, agents also searched a residential property in Southwest Ranches, Broward County, Florida. This location holds particular significance, as it links directly to Carvalho’s extensive tenure leading the Miami-Dade County Public Schools prior to his move to Los Angeles. FBI spokespersons from both Los Angeles and Miami confirmed the execution of court-authorized search warrants but declined to offer specifics, citing that the affidavits detailing the basis for these searches remain under seal. Crucially, authorities clarified that these were search warrants, not arrest warrants, and no arrests were made during the operations.
Unpacking the Allegations: A Probe into Financial Issues
While federal officials have remained tight-lipped, information from multiple external sources points to a complex investigation primarily focused on “financial issues” linked to Superintendent Carvalho. A key revelation indicates that the core of the probe predates Carvalho’s leadership of LAUSD, largely stemming from his tenure in Florida.
Allegations of Kickbacks and the Miami-Dade Link
One prominent line of inquiry, as reported by CBS News, centers on allegations that Carvalho may have received kickbacks from a business during his time as superintendent of Miami-Dade County Public Schools. He served in that influential role from 2008 until early 2022. This suggests a deep dive into past financial dealings and contracts approved under his watch in Florida. The search in Southwest Ranches, Florida, underscores the bicoastal nature of this investigation and its historical scope.
The Troubled AllHere AI Chatbot Project in LAUSD
Adding another layer of complexity, the Los Angeles Times suggests the current federal probe also ties into the controversial failure of the “Ed” AI chatbot project within LAUSD. In August 2024, Carvalho heavily promoted “Ed,” an artificial intelligence tool developed by the company AllHere, hailing it as a “game changer” for student assistance. LAUSD committed up to $6 million over five years, ultimately spending around $3 million for services rendered.
However, the project quickly unraveled. Less than three months after its unveiling, AllHere collapsed into bankruptcy, and its founder, Joanna Smith-Griffin, was charged with securities fraud, wire fraud, and aggravated identity theft. Public records reportedly link the Florida search property to Debra Kerr, a salesperson and consultant whose clients included AllHere and who had historical ties to Carvalho from his Miami-Dade days. Her son, a former AllHere executive, reportedly pitched the company to LAUSD. Carvalho has publicly denied personal involvement in AllHere’s selection and, following Smith-Griffin’s indictment, pledged to appoint a task force to examine the project’s failure. However, no such task force has been announced or convened.
Past Scrutiny: Miami-Dade Nonprofit Donation
This isn’t the first time Superintendent Carvalho’s financial decisions have drawn scrutiny. During his leadership in Miami-Dade, an investigation by the district’s inspector general in 2020 revealed a significant incident. A nonprofit organization founded by Carvalho solicited a $1.57 million donation from an online education company. This company was, at the time, under consideration for a contract with the Miami-Dade district, though the contract was later dropped. While the inspector general concluded that the donation did not technically violate state or district ethics policies, it did create an “appearance of impropriety.” The recommendation to return the donation was not followed; instead, the nonprofit distributed the funds to Miami-Dade teachers in the form of $100 gift cards.
Alberto Carvalho: A Career Marked by Achievement and Controversy
Alberto Carvalho’s career in education is a compelling narrative of significant achievement intertwined with periods of intense scrutiny. A Portugal-born administrator, Carvalho began his journey in education teaching physics, chemistry, and calculus in Miami, eventually rising through the ranks to become superintendent of Miami-Dade County Public Schools in 2008.
Distinguished Leadership and National Recognition
During his 14-year tenure in Miami-Dade, Carvalho earned widespread acclaim for his leadership. He was credited with dramatically improving graduation rates and overall academic performance in Florida’s largest school district. His accomplishments were recognized nationally when he was named Superintendent of the Year in 2014 by the national superintendents association. In 2021, Spain even bestowed knighthood upon him for his efforts in expanding Spanish-language programs within Miami-Dade schools.
He brought this lauded reputation to Los Angeles in February 2022, stepping into the helm of LAUSD, where he was unanimously re-appointed by the school board in September for another four-year term at an annual salary of $440,000. The board cited his “steady leadership” during a challenging period.
Navigating a Critical Juncture in Los Angeles
Carvalho’s arrival in Los Angeles coincided with a pivotal moment for LAUSD. The district was awash with state and federal COVID-19 relief funds, presenting both opportunities and immense challenges. He immediately grappled with the lingering impacts of the pandemic, including significant learning losses among students and a troubling trend of declining enrollment. His leadership has been focused on recovery and innovation in a post-pandemic educational landscape.
A Vocal Advocate on Public Issues
Beyond his administrative duties, Carvalho has been a prominent and outspoken figure on critical public issues. He became a vocal critic of the Trump administration’s aggressive immigration policies, particularly following raids in Los Angeles. Drawing on his personal experience of arriving in the U.S. at age 17 as an undocumented immigrant, he passionately urged immigration authorities to avoid enforcement activities within a two-block radius of schools, stating his obligation to advocate for others facing similar predicaments. He also notably clashed with Florida Republican Governor Ron DeSantis over the governor’s order prohibiting schools from mandating masks during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Wider Implications and the Path Forward
The FBI’s actions represent a significant escalation of scrutiny for both Superintendent Carvalho and the Los Angeles Unified School District. LAUSD has issued a brief statement confirming its cooperation with the ongoing investigation and indicating no further information is available at this time. The district’s Board of Education swiftly scheduled a closed-session meeting following the raids, with “Public Employment: General Superintendent of Schools” as the sole agenda item, signaling the seriousness of the situation.
This federal action also marks the second instance within a week that the Justice Department has taken measures involving LAUSD. Just days prior, on February 19, the Trump administration joined a lawsuit alleging that LAUSD’s decades-old desegregation policy discriminates against white students. While seemingly unrelated, these simultaneous federal interventions paint a picture of intensified oversight on the Los Angeles school system. Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass’s office has stated it has no information regarding the searches, emphasizing the public school system’s operational independence from city government.
As the federal investigation unfolds, the future implications for Superintendent Carvalho and the leadership of LAUSD remain uncertain. The depth and breadth of the financial probe will determine the ultimate impact on one of the nation’s largest and most influential school districts.
Frequently Asked Questions
What led to the FBI’s search warrants at LAUSD and Superintendent Carvalho’s properties?
While the exact reasons are sealed by the court, external reports indicate the FBI investigation primarily targets financial issues connected to Superintendent Alberto Carvalho. Sources suggest the probe largely predates his LAUSD tenure, focusing on potential kickbacks during his previous role leading Miami-Dade County Public Schools. Additionally, his promotion of the now-bankrupt AllHere AI chatbot, which LAUSD paid $3 million for, and a controversial nonprofit donation during his Miami-Dade years are also under scrutiny.
Who is Alberto Carvalho, and what is his professional background amid this investigation?
Alberto Carvalho is the highly acclaimed Superintendent of the Los Angeles Unified School District since 2022. Prior to this, he led Miami-Dade County Public Schools for 14 years, earning national recognition as Superintendent of the Year in 2014 and a knighthood from Spain in 2021 for his educational achievements. Despite a distinguished career focused on improving academic outcomes, he has also faced past scrutiny regarding financial dealings and has been a vocal public figure on immigration and mask mandate issues.
How might this federal investigation impact the Los Angeles Unified School District?
The federal investigation could have significant implications for LAUSD, the nation’s second-largest school district. While no arrests were made, the probe into financial allegations against its superintendent could affect public trust, disrupt district operations, and potentially lead to changes in leadership or governance. The Board of Education has already scheduled a closed-session meeting to discuss “Public Employment: General Superintendent of Schools,” indicating serious consideration of the situation’s fallout.
In conclusion, the FBI raids on LAUSD headquarters and Superintendent Alberto Carvalho’s properties mark a pivotal moment for public education in Los Angeles. The veil of secrecy surrounding the sealed affidavits fuels public speculation, but the external reports hinting at serious financial improprieties from his past underscore the gravity of the federal probe. As this complex investigation unfolds, the focus will remain on transparency, accountability, and ensuring the continued stability and integrity of the school system dedicated to serving hundreds of thousands of students.
