‘Coach Gooch’ Sentenced for Shocking Basketball Fraud Scandal

Denise Cardenas, once celebrated for her role in teaching basketball fundamentals to Maricopa youth, has been sentenced to prison for defrauding her players, their families, and Central Arizona College. Her actions resulted in financial losses totaling tens of thousands of dollars.

On Monday, Pinal County Superior Court Judge Steven Fuller ordered Cardenas, 45, to spend four months in the Arizona Department of Corrections, followed by three years of supervised probation. Additionally, she has been mandated to pay almost $25,000 in restitution to the college, which has already compensated the victims.

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

Cardenas entered a guilty plea in connection with felony charges of fraud and theft, marking a significant fall from grace.

Pinal County Sheriff Mark Lamb emphasized the broader impact of Cardenas’s actions on her players’ lives. “At a time when these students were just starting their young adult lives, this criminal act negatively impacted their future paths,” he noted. He expressed hope that the sentence would provide closure for affected athletes and their families, reinforcing that such victimization will not be tolerated.

The investigation into Cardenas began in August 2022, when the Pinal County Sheriff’s Office looked into allegations against her. Reports indicated that Cardenas, known as Coach Gooch, misled recruited athletes, telling them they were awarded half scholarships when, in reality, they had full scholarships. Consequently, several players used Pell Grant money to pay Cardenas directly for non-existent tuition obligations.

Furthermore, Cardenas organized a holiday fundraiser for the team, yet the proceeds were reportedly not deposited into the women’s basketball account. She also solicited funds from a player’s family under the guise of needing money for new uniforms, which similarly never reached the team account.

Central Arizona College affirmed that the defrauded students were indeed on full scholarships and owed nothing to Cardenas. A detailed analysis of bank records uncovered that the financial contributions discussed by the victims had been funneled into Cardenas’s personal account.