Sahuarita Unified School District—Criminal Indictment—Theft, Fraudulent Schemes, and Forgery

As part of their responsibility to prevent and detect fraud, Sahuarita Unified School District (District) officials took appropriate action by reporting to us alleged financial misconduct by Denise Montano (aka Denise Cook) former head cheerleading (Cheer) coach and registrar at Walden Grove High School, within the District.

Our investigation revealed that from August 2023 through December 2023, Ms. Montano may have embezzled District funds when she, without authorization, directed $12,094 in Cheer fees and fundraising proceeds to her personal bank account, spent $7,768 of that money on personal expenses, and provided to the District 2 forged documents related to Cheer finances to conceal her actions.

We submitted our report to the Arizona Attorney General’s Office, which on August 17, 2026, presented evidence to the State Grand Jury. As a result, Ms. Montano was indicted on 4 felony counts related to theft, fraudulent schemes and practices, and forgery.