Investigation into LA School Superintendent Following FBI Search

Alberto Carvalho, the principal of a fire-damaged school in Los Angeles, is set to face scrutiny during a “superintendent’s evaluation” on Monday, which comes just days after the FBI conducted a search of his home.

As detailed in court documents acquired by the California Post, a secret LAUSD board meeting is slated to take place this morning following the execution of a search warrant last Wednesday.

FBI agents, equipped with rifles, were observed removing boxes and other items from Carvalho’s residence in San Pedro. Additionally, searches took place at LAUSD’s downtown headquarters and at the Miami home of Debra Kerr, who is under investigation for fraud.

The ongoing investigation appears to be centered around dealings between LAUSD and AllHere, an AI company where Kerr previously worked as a consultant and helped create a chatbot for the district.

In 2024, Joanna Smith-Griffin, AllHere’s founder, was indicted on fraud charges not long after entering into a $6 million contract with Carvalho for the AI chatbot.

Documents indicate that under Carvalho’s leadership, Smith-Griffin’s company received close to $3 million from LAUSD for services that were reportedly not delivered.

Federal prosecutors allege that Smith-Griffin misused the $10 million she allegedly defrauded from investors on personal expenses, such as a wedding and purchasing a home in North Carolina.

If found guilty, she could face up to 20 years in prison.

So far, neither Carvalho nor Kerr has been charged with any crimes, and authorities have not provided specific details about the nature of the investigation.

LAUSD has stated that it is cooperating with law enforcement; however, the court documents concerning the investigation are still sealed.