The LAUSD board's June letter accuses Superintendent Alberto Carvalho of ordering the removal of a GPS tracker from his district vehicle, directing a district-paid driver to run personal errands, and instructing IT staff to bypass cybersecurity controls to unblock Telegram. The board also alleges undisclosed outside income—at least $107,000 for coaching Denver's superintendent—and improper gifts tied to contractors. Carvalho denied wrongdoing, argued some practices were authorized for security reasons, and resigned in June; the FBI has not announced formal charges.
LAUSD Internal Letter Alleges Carvalho Removed GPS, Bypassed Firewall and Used District Driver for Personal Errands
An internal Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) letter released in June accuses then-superintendent Alberto Carvalho of taking steps to conceal his activities, including removing a GPS device from a district SUV, instructing IT staff to unblock the messaging app Telegram on his work computer, and directing a district-paid driver to run personal errands.
Allegations Detailed by the Board
The June 8 letter from LAUSD board president Scott Schmerelson catalogues a string of alleged policy violations and unprofessional conduct as the board moved to terminate Carvalho or force his resignation following FBI searches of his home and district offices in February.
- GPS Removal: The board says Carvalho ordered staff to remove a GPS tracker from his district vehicle so the district could not monitor his movements.
- Use of Driver: Staff were allegedly directed to use a district-paid driver for personal tasks, including chauffeuring Carvalho and a female district employee to restaurants and driving his wife to Los Angeles International Airport.
- IT Bypasses: Carvalho is accused of instructing staff to unblock Telegram—a messaging app the letter describes as a high cyber risk—and to install an unfiltered network that bypassed the district firewall for his office.
- Undisclosed Income and Gifts: The board alleges Carvalho accepted gifts from contractors and lobbyists beyond legal limits and failed to report outside income, including at least $107,000 paid by Denver Public Schools for executive coaching services.
Timeline, Investigation and Context
Federal agents searched Carvalho's San Pedro residence, LAUSD headquarters in downtown Los Angeles, and the Miami home of consultant Debra Kerr in February. The board identified an AllHere-paid trip Carvalho took to the White House in 2023 as a potentially undisclosed financial benefit. AllHere, a now-defunct AI firm that developed a district chatbot, collapsed weeks after the product launch; its founder was charged with fraud in 2024.
Responses and Defense
Carvalho's attorneys disputed several of the board's assertions. They said Carvalho believed his use of the district vehicle and driver after hours was authorized under his contract and guidance from LAUSD's general counsel, particularly given security concerns for public officials. They also maintained that district officials were aware he occasionally used secure messaging applications and that certain IT access was necessary for his duties.
"Based on his contract and guidance from the LAUSD General Counsel — and in a heightened threat environment facing public officials like Mr. Carvalho — he understood that he was authorized to use the automobile and driver after work hours," his lawyers wrote.
Outcome
Carvalho was placed on administrative leave two days after the February searches and resigned in June. On June 24 the LAUSD board appointed Andres Chait as his successor. Federal authorities have not publicly specified any charges related to the investigation; prosecutors often consider nondisclosure of payments alongside possible charges such as fraud, tax evasion or false statements.
Additional Notes
Carvalho has denied wrongdoing and declined to comment to reporters. In May he was photographed shopping with his wife, and in July he listed his Palos Verdes home for sale.
Former Los Angeles Unified School District Superintendent Alberto Carvalho resigned from his post in June following months of scrutiny. MediaNews Group via Getty Images
LAUSD Superintendent Alberto Carvalho and his wife head to a supermarket near their house on Friday, May 8, 2026. This is the first time Carvalho has been pictured since an accusation. Rafael Fontoura for CA Post
Carvalho served as LAUSD superintendent for more than four years before stepping down in June. Rafael Fontoura for CA Post
The LAUSD board accused former Superintendent Alberto Carvalho of a string of policy violations and unprofessional conduct. California Post
Media stage outside the home of Los Angeles Unified School District Superintendent Alberto Carvalho on Wednesday, Feb. 25, 2026, in San Pedro, Calif. AP
Carvalho was placed on leave in February after FBI agents searched his home and LAUSD headquarters. Rafael Fontoura for CA Post
Two men arrive at Alberto Carvalho's home in San Pedro, California, on Monday, March 2, 2026. Rafael Fontoura for CA Post
A delivery is made to the home of Alberto Carvalho on Sunday, March 1, 2026, following an FBI raid. Rafael Fontoura for CA Post
Carvalho's attorneys pushed back against the school board's allegations, saying district officials were aware of many of his practices. Getty Images
The former schools boss was once regarded as one of the country's top educators before the FBI raids and his subsequent resignation. Los Angeles Times via Getty Images
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