Former CAC basketball coach sentenced for defrauding players

A former Central Arizona College women’s basketball coach has been sentenced to four months in prison for defrauding her players, their families and the school out of thousands of dollars.

On Monday, Pinal County Superior Court Judge Steven Fuller sentenced Denise Cardenas, 45, to four months in the Arizona Department of Corrections, followed by three years of supervised probation, according to a press release from the Pinal County Attorney’s Office.

Cardenas is also responsible for nearly $25,000 in restitution to the college, which has already paid back the victims.

“To see such a trusted and revered community member prey on her players for her own financial gain is saddening,” Pinal County Attorney Kent Volkmer stated in the release. “I’m proud of the victims that had the courage to come forward and help hold their coach accountable.”

Cardenas pled guilty to fraudulent schemes, a class two felony, and theft, a class six felony. She was arrested in Yuma in February

"At a time when these students were just starting their young adult lives, this criminal act negatively impacted their future paths," Sheriff Mark Lamb stated in the release. "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 that Cardenas, also known as “Coach Gooch,” told multiple players she had recruited that they were on half scholarships and would have to pay for the other half of their school tuition.

However, according to PCAO, Cardenas turned in paperwork to CAC stating the players were on full scholarships. Several players paid Cardenas for their half of the tuition using financial aid Pell Grant money.

“The investigation also 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,” the release continued.

Central Arizona College confirmed that 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 victims’ had discussed was being deposited into Cardenas’ personal account, the release stated.