LAUSD Officials Won't Face Federal Charges In iPad Scandal

LOS ANGELES, CA — No federal charges will be filed as a result of an investigation into the awarding of contracts to Apple for a $1.3 billion program to purchase thousands of iPads for Los Angeles Unified students and teachers, it was announced Tuesday.

David Holmquist, L.A. Unified's general counsel, said the district had received notice from the U.S. Attorney's Office in Los Angeles that the probe was closed and no charges would be filed.

"In November 2014, L.A. Unified received grand jury subpoenas from the U.S. Attorney's Office seeking records relating to the procurement process for tablet computers as part of an investigation by the FBI," Holmquist said in a statement.

"Since then, the district had been fully cooperating with the federal government's investigation," he said. "We have received notification from the U.S. Attorney's Office that the investigation has been closed."

A spokesman for the U.S. Attorney's Office declined comment.

RELATED: LAUSD Looks to Sue Apple Over Troubled $1.3 Billion iPad Program

Just over two years ago, FBI agents seized 20 boxes of documents relating to LAUSD contracts with Apple and education publisher Pearson as part of the Common Core Technology Project -- a signature effort of former LAUSD Superintendent John Deasy to provide iPads or laptops to every student, teacher and administrator.

Deasy denied any wrongdoing stemming from the effort, but questions led to increased pressure on him to step aside in October 2014.

The rollout of the program was beset by problems, such as students who managed to work around security software so they could browse the Internet on the devices.

His successor, Ramon C. Cortines, canceled the iPad program before all the money was spent, calling it unaffordable.

City News Service; Photo: Brad Flickinger via flickr.com