A California woman accused of managing money for a high school football booster club is now facing federal wire fraud charges after prosecutors alleged she stole more than $411,000 from the nonprofit.
Julie Hanway Molina, 56, was arrested at her home Thursday, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Central District of California. Federal authorities say Molina served as treasurer for a booster club that supported the Aliso Niguel High School football team.
Prosecutors allege booster funds paid personal bills
According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Molina allegedly defrauded the nonprofit of $411,761 and used diverted funds to cover personal expenses, including credit card bills and mortgage payments.
Federal officials said one alleged transfer took place in June 2023, when Molina wired about $131,523 from the nonprofit’s bank account in Laguna Hills through Federal Reserve facilities in New Jersey and Texas to an account in Santa Ana. Prosecutors allege the money was used to pay the delinquent mortgage balance on her personal residence.
Authorities claim false reports hid the missing money
Prosecutors also allege Molina concealed the misappropriation by creating false treasurer reports that did not disclose the diverted funds.
“We’re going after all fraud, big or small,” federal prosecutor Bill Essayli said, according to the Justice Department. “This treasurer managed community funds for student athletes and breached that trust.”
Potential prison time if convicted
Molina faces four counts of wire fraud. If convicted, she could face up to 20 years in federal prison.
