FRESNO, Calif. (KMPH) -
A basketball academy in Fresno claiming to help kids make "big moves on the court" is being called a big scam by some; now the owner of the basketball academy defends his actions.
On Thursday night we brought you the story of basketball coach Gerald Perry and his basketball academy.
Some accuse the coach of taking their money, then not even showing up the day of the camp.
Teresa Bindenagel says she pays a hundred dollars a month to have Gerald Perry, the owner of the Basketball Academy, teach her kids the fundamentals of the game.
Teresa Bindenagel says, "I've have nothing but good things to say and my kids have been in a year now."
But others have a very different opinion. They claim they were duped by Perry.
Marie says, "He just took our money and gave us the run-around."
Marie says she mailed in a check for $25 dollars to have her son attend a basketball camp taught by Perry, at the Pilgrim's Armenian Church.
But when they showed up, no camp.
She says, Perry told her there was a conflict with the church.
The pastor of the church says Perry never had permission.
Pastor Ara Guekguezian says, "He had asked the board to use the gym for this academy, we said no because we've have experience with him in the past."
Gerald Perry says, "I don't know what the pastor is talking about, I thought we had a deal and it fell through and as I said I offered all these kids replacement or a refund."
A refund Marie says she never got.
And then there's this flyer, advertising tryouts at Roosevelt High School, this past Sunday.
Tryouts, the athletic director told KMPH News, he never approved and says never happened.
So Friday I caught up with Perry and asked him about the conflicting stories.
Perry says, "It was a simple workout, and yes I had permission to do a simple workout there."
Reporter Erik Rosales says, "The athletic director says you didn't have permission.
Perry says," I didn't go through the athletic director. I went through the coach."
A reasonable explanation, then it happened again right before my eyes.
I found Perry arriving at the Ted C. Wills Center during open gym night part of a program for which he collected money from parents to train their kids -- something city officials say city policy doesn't allow him to do without permission.
Heather Heinks, Fresno Parks and Rec. Director says, "We don't grant any kind of extension of city service permits, so people can profit personally, absolutely have to check what's happening tonight and take action."
Perry says," I'm not charging people to use open gym?"
Woman says," I'm paying for his training, I'm not paying for the gym."
Erik Rosales says," But he's not supposed to make any money training your child on city property, that's what the city says.
Perry says, "Here's what you don't understand, they get uniforms, they get T-shirts."
Perry says, "I spoke to the director."
Erik Rosales says, "No, I spoke to the city and the city director and they said you can't use the gym."
Perry says, "Well if they ask me to leave, I'll leave."
Friday night, the city did allow Perry to finish his workout with the kids.
But city staff told Erik Rosales next time Perry will need to get permission, and fill out the proper liability release paperwork, should he want to practice inside any city-owned gym in the future.
