Los Angeles schools superintendent resigns after FBI search and months on paid leave

LOS ANGELES (AP) 鈥� The superintendent of Los Angeles public schools has resigned four months after he was put during a federal investigation, the district’s Board of Education said Monday.

Alberto Carvalho earlier this year and had asked to be reinstated as head of the nation’s second-largest district.

The on Feb. 25 at his home and the LA Unified School District鈥檚 headquarters. Two days later, the district鈥檚 Board of Education voted unanimously to place him on leave pending the outcome of the investigation.

In its statement released early Monday, the Board acknowledged it received a letter of resignation from Carvalho. The resignation was effective as of Sunday.

鈥淭he Board remains steadfast in its commitment to ensuring stability, continuity, and continued progress through strong leadership. Our focus remains unchanged: providing every student with a high-quality education, supporting our dedicated workforce, and maintaining the trust of the communities we serve,鈥� it said in the statement.

It said that Andr茅s Chait, who has been acting superintendent, will remain in that position until a permanent decision is made.

Authorities have not provided details of involving the district, which serves more than 500,000 students, nor have they accused Carvalho of any crimes.

The FBI also searched a third location near Miami. The Miami Herald reported the Florida property belonged to Debra Kerr, who previously worked with AllHere, an education technology company that had a contract with Los Angeles schools before it collapsed and its leader was indicted for fraud.

In 2024, Carvalho heavily touted a deal with AllHere for an AI chatbot named 鈥淓d鈥� designed to help students. But about three months after unveiling the technology and paying the company $3 million, the district dropped its dealings with AllHere, which collapsed into bankruptcy. Months later, founder Joanna Smith-Griffin was charged with securities and wire fraud, along with identity theft.

At the time, Carvalho denied personal involvement in the selection of AllHere, according to the Los Angeles Times.

鈥淢r. 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,鈥� a statement provided by Holland & Knight, the law firm representing him, had said. 鈥淲hile the government鈥檚 investigation remains ongoing, no evidence has been presented by prosecutors supporting any allegation that Mr. Carvalho violated federal law.鈥�

An email seeking comment was sent to the law firm Monday.

Following the search of school headquarters, LA Unified said it was cooperating with investigators and had no further information.

Carvalho became superintendent for LA in 2022. He previously led the public schools in Miami.