Los Angeles school superintendent denies wrongdoing and asks for his job back during federal probe

LOS ANGELES (AP) — The superintendent of Los Angeles public schools who's on paid leave during a federal investigation released a statement Wednesday denying any wrongdoing and asking to be reinstated as head of the nation’s second-largest district.

The FBI served search warrants on Feb. 25 at Alberto Carvalho's home and the LA Unified School District's headquarters. Two days later, the district's Board of Education voted unanimously to place him on leave pending the outcome of the probe.

“Mr. Carvalho remains confident that the evidence will ultimately demonstrate that he acted appropriately and in the best interests of students,” said the statement, attributed to a spokesperson and distributed by Holland & Knight, the law firm representing him. “We hope the school board reinstates him promptly to his position as superintendent.”

Authorities have not provided details of the nature of the investigation involving the district, which serves more than 500,000 students, nor have they accused Carvalho of any crimes.

The FBI 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.

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.

At the time, Carvalho denied personal involvement in the selection of AllHere, according to the Los Angeles Times. Wednesday's statement was his first comment since last month's searches.

“Mr. Carvalho respects the rule of law and the investigative process and has always acted in the best interests of students and within the bounds of the law,” the statement said. “While the government’s investigation remains ongoing, no evidence has been presented by prosecutors supporting any allegation that Mr. Carvalho violated federal law.”

Following the search of school headquarters, LA Unified said it was cooperating with investigators and had no further information.

The board said its decision to place Carvalho on leave was intended to minimize any disruption to its mission of teaching students. Andres Chait, the chief of school operations, was named acting superintendent.

Carvalho became superintendent for LA in 2022. He previously led the public schools in Miami.

An official portrait of LAUSD Superintendents, Alberto Carvalho, left, and former Superintendent Austin Beutner, are displayed at Los Angeles Unified School District board room at LAUSD headquarters, Thursday, Feb. 26, 2026, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)

Los Angeles Unified School District board members listen to online public comments during a meeting at LAUSD headquarters before a special closed session with Superintendent Alberto Carvalho, Thursday, Feb. 26, 2026, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)

The exterior of the home of Los Angeles Unified School District Superintendent Alberto Carvalho is shown on Wednesday, Feb. 25, 2026, in San Pedro, Calif. (AP Photo/William Liang)

FILE - Alberto Carvalho, Superintendent of Los Angeles Unified School District speaks about students' improved rising scores before Gov. Gavin Newsom signed legislation related to student literacy in Los Angeles on Thursday, Oct. 9, 2025. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes, File)

Four-time Pro Bowl edge rusher Trey Hendrickson has agreed on a four-year, $112 million contract with the Baltimore Ravens, a person with knowledge of the deal told The Associated Press on Wednesday.

The person spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because the contract can’t be finalized until the start of the new league year at 4 p.m. EDT.

The Ravens backed out of a blockbuster trade for star edge rusher Maxx Crosby late Tuesday. A person with knowledge of Baltimore’s decision told the AP that Crosby failed his physical. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because those results are private.

So Baltimore keeps the two first-round draft picks it had agreed to send to Las Vegas and quickly pivoted to the best pass rusher on the market.

Hendrickson was an All-Pro for the Bengals in 2024 when he led the NFL with 17 1/2 sacks. He played in only seven games because of injuries last season and had four sacks.

The 31-year-old Hendrickson has 81 sacks in nine seasons with New Orleans and Cincinnati. He reached double-digits four times, including 17 1/2 in consecutive seasons in 2023-24.

Hendrickson requested a trade from Cincinnati last March and skipped organized team activities and a mandatory minicamp, He also missed the start of training camp before getting a $14 million raise for last season. The Bengals did not use the franchise tag on him earlier this month, freeing him to hit the open market.

The last few days have been a whirlwind for Ravens fans. After initially agreeing to acquire Crosby for the high price of two first-round picks, Baltimore lost several players at the start of the free agent negotiating period. Then the Ravens nixed the trade for Crosby, and even after moving on to Hendrickson, they have issues to resolve, particularly in the middle of the offensive line after center Tyler Linderbaum agreed to a deal with the Raiders.

Baltimore was also hoping to sign two-time MVP quarterback Lamar Jackson to an extension before the start of the new league year Wednesday. But that hasn't happened. Instead the Ravens have restructured Jackson's deal to create cap space, according to a person with knowledge of the deal, speaking on condition of anonymity because the contract hadn’t been finalized.

Jackson has two years remaining on the five-year, $260 million contract the Ravens gave him in 2023.

In addition to Linderbaum, outgoing Baltimore free agents Isaiah Likely, Ar'Darius Washington, Dre'Mont Jones, Jordan Stout and Alohi Gilman were among those who reached deals with other teams. All had been important players for the Ravens.

So Baltimore has work to do, although now the Ravens have their first-round pick again. They also have Hendrickson, who will join safety Kyle Hamilton and linebacker Roquan Smith among the stars on Baltimore's defense. The Ravens were shaky on that side of the ball last season, all the way through the final game, when they repeatedly allowed Aaron Rodgers to rally the Steelers in the Week 18 matchup that gave Pittsburgh the AFC North title and kept Baltimore out of the playoffs.

The defensive-minded Jesse Minter took over as Baltimore's coach after John Harbaugh was fired.

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FILE - Cincinnati Bengals defensive end Trey Hendrickson (91) looks on during an NFL football game against the Detroit Lions Sunday, Oct. 5, 2025, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Jeff Dean, File)