LOS ANGELES_ The former superintendent of the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD), Alberto Carvalho, allegedly ordered the removal of the GPS device installed in the official vehicle he used, according to an internal letter from the school board that brings together a series of accusations against the former official.
The document, dated June 8 and signed by board president Scott Schmerelson, maintains that Carvalho instructed staff to remove the tracking system so that the district would no longer know the movements of the SUV assigned for its functions.
The accusation is part of a series of allegations that include unprofessional conduct, alleged violations of district policies and the use of institutional resources outside of normal supervisory mechanisms.
Telegram Questions
The brief also accuses Carvalho of ordering technology staff to unlock Telegram on his work computer, even though the platform was considered a high risk to computer security.
“Like many other public officials in sensitive positions, Mr. Carvalho occasionally used secure messaging applications,” responded his lawyers, who assured that those in charge of the district were aware of his use.
The board also questioned whether Carvalho had requested unfiltered access to the internet from his office. According to the document, a separate network was installed to allow this.
His lawyers argued that he needed to access websites linked to his duties that were blocked by the LAUSD system.
Gifts, trips and external income
The accusations also include the alleged receipt of gifts from contractors and lobbyists above established limits, as well as benefits and trips that would not have been declared.
Among them is a trip to the White House in 2023 financed by AllHere, a technology company that had developed an artificial intelligence chatbot for the LAUSD. The company later went bankrupt and its founder, Joanna Smith-Griffin, was charged with fraud by federal authorities.
The document also questions at least $107,000 that Carvalho would have received for advising the superintendent of Denver Public Schools. The relationship ended in February, after Carvalho was placed on administrative leave.
Resignation after FBI searches
Carvalho was placed on leave two days after federal agents searched his home in San Pedro and the LAUSD headquarters in February. The home of a former consultant linked to AllHere was also searched.
The former superintendent resigned in June after more than four years leading the district.
Federal authorities have not publicly revealed the scope of the investigation nor have they so far filed a criminal charge against Carvalho related to these events. The allegations contained in the board document have been rejected or explained away by their lawyers.
