"Our focus remains clear: to ensure stability, continuity, and strong leadership for our students, families, and employees. The Los Angeles Unified School District Board of Education unanimously voted to place Carvalho on leave pending the outcome of the investigation after two days of deliberation behind closed doors. The board said in a statement that its decision was intended to minimize any disruption to its mission of teaching students."
"In 2024, Carvalho heavily touted a deal with AllHere for an AI chatbot named "Ed" 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."
"The FBI on Wednesday 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."
Alberto Carvalho, superintendent of Los Angeles Unified School District since 2022, was placed on paid leave by the school board after the FBI served search warrants at his home and district headquarters. The board unanimously voted for the leave pending investigation outcomes, citing stability and continuity concerns. Andres Chait assumed acting superintendent duties. The investigation involves AllHere, an education technology company that contracted with the district for an AI chatbot called "Ed." The district paid AllHere $3 million before terminating the relationship three months later. AllHere subsequently collapsed into bankruptcy, and founder Joanna Smith-Griffin faced charges for securities fraud, wire fraud, and identity theft. FBI searches extended to a Miami property connected to former AllHere employee Debra Kerr. No formal accusations against Carvalho have been disclosed.
#fbi-investigation #education-technology-fraud #school-district-leadership #allhere-bankruptcy #los-angeles-unified-school-district
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