A whistleblower has revealed the extravagant lifestyle of Albert Cenera, one of California’s highest-paid nonprofit executives, alleging that employees at the Tarzana Treatment Center were pressured into recruiting vulnerable individuals for taxpayer-funded rehabilitation services to profit the organization.
Cenera, who serves as president and CEO of the Tarzana Treatment Center, reportedly earns an impressive $2.36 million annually, as per tax records examined by the California Post.
The nonprofit offers various services including medical detoxification, residential treatment, mental health care, and recovery programs, all funded by taxpayer money from California and Los Angeles.
Recently, Cenera was seen at his luxurious Simi Valley residence, which boasts six bedrooms, eight bathrooms, and a valuation of around $3.7 million.
The property includes a putting green, a swimming pool complete with a waterslide, and even a basketball court. In the driveway, there were three high-end vehicles – a BMW i7, a Range Rover, and a Cadillac Escalade, each valued at over $100,000.
This lavish lifestyle starkly contrasts the austere conditions recounted by former employees of other addiction recovery nonprofits, where facilities often lack basic amenities like proper mattresses and private showers.
During a visit to the treatment center, the California Post found prospective patients waiting outside, often using trash bags to hold their belongings. At the same time, public records show the nonprofit’s annual revenue surged from $76.6 million in 2019 to an extraordinary $224.1 million last year.
Cenera’s pay reflects this increase in profits, jumping from $1.09 million in 2020 to $1.84 million anticipated for 2024, alongside a significant 28% salary rise in the previous year.
The next highest-paid executive within the organization made about $900,000, while several others exceeded $300,000, according to tax disclosures.
Since 2021, Los Angeles taxpayers have contributed approximately $10.8 million to the treatment center, with payments of $2.17 million in 2025 and another $1.8 million so far in 2026.
Though no specific allegations have arisen about improper billing by the Tarzana Treatment Center or Misuse of funds through Medi-Cal or for unrendered services, this funding originates from various city departments, including the Housing Authority and the Mayor’s Office.
The contract for City Council District 3 alone has permitted up to $670,242 for treatment facilities through June 2027, with around $171,000 already disbursed.
The CAO has clarified that it only facilitates payment processing for this contract and does not oversee the management of the treatment centers.
Despite previous audits raising concerns about the center’s financial practices, public financial resources continued to flow into Tarzana, leading to another $5.65 million in funding associated with a contract with the Department of Mental Health.
Two former employees highlighted a troubling culture within the organization, describing a relentless push to fill billable hours by enrolling individuals in detox programs, even before they’re fully ready to engage in treatment. They mentioned that staff members often felt overwhelmed, focusing on billing rather than genuine care.
One worker, who recently departed after a year, lamented that his focus shifted from aiding those struggling with addiction to meeting billing quotas. Another former employee claimed that they were frequently told to enhance their productivity or face job insecurity.
Pat, another ex-employee, noted that staff were often sent patients from detox units prematurely in order to expedite billing. She described managing an impossible caseload of over 160 individuals, emphasizing that such conditions hinder effective care.
Internal communications further corroborated these experiences, with employees sharing frustrations about directives to misstate billing practices or risk job losses.
Former Los Angeles County Sheriff, Alex Villanueva, criticized the disproportionate executive compensation amidst calls for adequate funding for nonprofit services aimed at assisting individuals in need.
In response to inquiries about his salary and the whistleblower claims, Cenera stated that compensation at Tarzana is determined through a detailed annual process, adhering to established Treasury regulations intended to assure fairness.
Even amid these controversies, two former workers admitted that they believe Tarzana performs invaluable work in helping individuals recover, though they worry that the current profit-driven environment overshadows the primary purpose of aiding people.
One of them voiced concerns about the vast sums allocated to executive salaries instead of being redirected towards improving services for those in need.
