FBI Raids LAUSD Superintendent’s Home and Headquarters

On Wednesday morning, federal agents executed coordinated search warrants at the home and downtown headquarters of Alberto Carvalho, the Superintendent of the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD). This unexpected action has stirred significant concern in the nation’s second-largest school district.

The investigation involves the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the U.S. Attorney’s Office, spanning beyond Southern California. Interestingly, officials also conducted a third search at a location in Broward County, Florida, where Carvalho had served as head of the Miami-Dade County Public Schools prior to his move to Los Angeles in 2022.

Residents from the San Pedro area reported seeing agents in FBI jackets outside Carvalho’s residence as early as 6:00 a.m. By mid-morning, crime scene tape was placed around sections of the street while agents removed boxes of potential evidence from the home.

Local resident John Schafer recounted, “I was with my wife, sipping coffee, when we heard sirens. Suddenly, someone said, ‘Stay in your house.’ I noticed at least five or six agents parked nearby.” He added, “One agent in camo had a rifle pointed at the house. It was alarming.”

At the same time, another group of investigators arrived at the LAUSD administrative headquarters on Beaudry Avenue. Although the district was still operational, some staff had to temporarily leave certain areas to facilitate the investigation.

The specifics of the federal investigation remain unclear. A spokesperson from the U.S. Attorney’s Office confirmed the searches but refrained from sharing details, noting that the warrants are under seal.

In a statement, LAUSD acknowledged the law enforcement activity at both the district headquarters and Carvalho’s home, confirming their cooperation with the investigation without disclosing further details.

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass’s office stated, “LAUSD operates independently from the City of Los Angeles. The Mayor’s Office has no information about this matter.”

While the FBI hasn’t specified any allegations, the raids coincide with growing scrutiny on the district’s leadership. Notable controversies include:

• Proposition 28 allegations: A recent civil lawsuit claims that LAUSD misused $76.7 million intended for arts and music funding to cover existing salaries instead of hiring new staff.

• Technology and contracts: Increased scrutiny surrounds a $3 million chatbot system linked to a vendor facing unrelated fraud charges. Past concerns also arose regarding a $1.57 million donation from an online education firm during Carvalho’s previous tenure in Miami-Dade.

• Political tensions: Carvalho has openly criticized federal immigration enforcement, particularly regarding “safe zones” for students following incidents of violence against ICE agents near schools.

At 61, Alberto Carvalho has been leading LAUSD since February 2022. Before that, he spent 14 years as the superintendent of Miami-Dade County Public Schools, where he was recognized for improving graduation rates and received the title of National Superintendent of the Year in 2014. Remarkably, just last year, the LAUSD Board of Education extended his contract through 2030.

As of now, no arrests or charges have been made, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office has not revealed when the search warrant affidavits may be unsealed.