Thirteen years ago, Denise Cardenas made headlines teaching Maricopa kids the fundamentals of basketball. Now, the former Central Arizona College basketball coach has been sentenced to prison for defrauding her players, their families and the school of tens of thousands of dollars.
Pinal County Superior Court Judge Steven Fuller sentenced Cardenas, 45, on Monday to four months in the Arizona Department of Corrections, followed by three years of supervised probation. Cardenas is also responsible for nearly $25,000 in restitution to the college, which has already paid pack the victims.
“To see such a trusted and revered community member prey on her players for her own financial gain is saddening,” said Pinal County Attorney Kent Volkmer. “I’m proud of the victims that had the courage to come forward and help hold their coach accountable.”
Cardenas pleaded guilty in Pinal County Superior Court to felony counts of fraud and theft.
“At a time when these students were just starting their young adult lives, this criminal act negatively impacted their future paths,” said Pinal County Sheriff Mark Lamb. “We hope this sentence brings closure to those athletes, their families and the school, and reaffirm that this type of victimization is not tolerated.”
The Pinal County Sheriff’s Office initiated an investigation into Cardenas in August 2022. The investigation revealed Cardenas, also known as Coach Gooch, told multiple girls she recruited they were on half scholarships and would have to pay for the other half of their school tuition. However, Cardenas turned in paperwork to the college stating the girls were on full scholarships. Several girls paid Cardenas for their half of the tuition using financial aid Pell Grant money.
The investigation further showed Cardenas had the team take part in a holiday fundraiser, where the money was never deposited into the women’s basketball bank account. Cardenas also solicited money from one player’s family and indicated it was needed for new uniforms, although the money received was never deposited into the team account.
Central Arizona College confirmed the students who were defrauded were on full scholarships and were not responsible for paying any money to Cardenas. A PCAO crime analyst also discovered through subpoenaed bank records that the money the victims had discussed was being deposited into Cardenas’ personal account.
