Alberto Carvalho, the former superintendent of Los Angeles schools whose career came to a halt amid an FBI probe, made a notable return to the public eye on Wednesday evening. He accepted a “Courage in Leadership” accolade at a star-studded Hollywood event, merely months after the investigation disrupted his once-celebrated trajectory.
The education-focused organization Families in Schools recognized the 61-year-old Carvalho for his bold stance against ICE and former President Trump’s policies.
Exclusive images provided to The California Post captured Carvalho’s arrival in a sleek white SUV, where he was assisted by the valet service at the Taglyan Complex.
Carvalho, donning a white long-sleeved shirt, black trousers, and a coordinating belt, was seen adjusting his attire as he made his way into the glamorous venue.
Moments later, he was observed engaging in conversation with a gentleman in formal attire, concluding the exchange with a handshake.
This event marked one of Carvalho’s most significant public appearances since February 25, when his home and office were the targets of a high-profile FBI raid, which dramatically interrupted his leadership of the country’s second-largest school district.
Before Wednesday’s gala, he had been seen publicly only once since the raids, during a shopping trip with his wife, Maria, at a Vons supermarket in Palos Verdes near the couple’s pricey home.
Federal investigators also searched the Miami home of a technology consultant who helped broker a deal between LA Unified and a disgraced startup hired to provide the district with an AI-powered chatbot.
The former schools chief, who entered the United States illegally as a teenager, appeared at the event despite remaining under the cloud of a federal probe that led to his removal from the Los Angeles Unified School District earlier this year.
Although Carvalho has not been charged with any crime, the investigation has largely kept him out of public view.
Since being relieved of his duties, Carvalho has collected more than $100,000 in taxpayer-funded pay while carrying no work responsibilities whatsoever.
At the same time, taxpayers are also footing the bill for Acting Superintendent Andrés Chait, whose yearly salary is $395,867.
The unusual arrangement means taxpayers are effectively paying for two superintendents while the FBI investigation remains ongoing, despite having no role in the circumstances that led to the leadership upheaval.
He now spends much of his time at the couple’s $2.5 million home as taxpayer dollars continue being funneled into his bank account.
Sonja Shaw, the Republican pick for California state superintendent, which oversees statewide education, said Carvalho is an odd choice for an award from any organization, when an FBI investigation into his dealing is still ongoing.
“California students are falling behind, parents have lost trust, and LAUSD remains under an FBI cloud. Calling this ‘courage in leadership’ is hard for families to understand,” Shaw told The Post.
“This is just another sign of the culture of fraud and corruption that California operates under,” added Shaw, who’s president of the Chino Valley School Board. “They’re so brazen that even in the middle of a federal investigation, they still give each other awards.”
Families in Schools says on its website that its mission is to “ensure student success by building authentic partnerships between families, educators, and system leaders, and through parent-led advocacy.”
