FBI searches home of LAUSD Superintendent
The FBI has conducted searches at the home and office of Los Angeles Unified School District Superintendent Alberto Carvalho. While the focus of the investigation has not been disclosed, such a high-profile action could have significant implications for the district's leadership and governance. This could potentially impact future funding and priorities for school design and construction projects.
- The FBI investigation into Superintendent Carvalho reportedly stems from his tenure in Miami-Dade County, with sources pointing to allegations of kickbacks from a business. Another focus of the probe is a failed AI chatbot company, AllHere, which had contracts with both LAUSD and the Miami-Dade school district. - Searches were conducted on February 25, 2026, at Carvalho's San Pedro home, the LAUSD headquarters, and a Florida residence in Broward County linked to a consultant for AllHere. - Carvalho has overseen a massive, multi-billion dollar school construction and modernization program at LAUSD, funded by voter-approved bonds. Most recently, Measure US authorized $9 billion for campus repairs and upgrades. - A significant focus of the district's capital projects is sustainability, with a 2022 "Green Schoolyards for All" resolution aiming for at least 30% green space at all schools by 2035. The district's Eco-Sustainability Office has goals for 100% clean energy for electricity by 2030 and full electrification by 2040. - Major modernization projects are underway across the district, such as the $132 million comprehensive modernization of Venice High School, designed by NAC Architecture, which includes new classroom buildings, labs, and a new gymnasium, targeting Collaborative for High Performance Schools (CHPS) sustainability standards. - Prior to the current investigation, Carvalho faced scrutiny in Miami in 2020 from the school system's inspector general for his nonprofit soliciting a large donation from a company with a contract pending before the district. - The implementation of some LAUSD initiatives has faced challenges; for instance, millions in state funding for "greening" projects have been stalled for years due to what some parents and advocates describe as district-level delays. - All new construction and major modernization projects in the district are required to meet sustainable design standards, such as those set by the Collaborative for High Performance Schools (CHPS) or the LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) rating system.
