Orange County woman federally charged with allegedly defrauding high school booster club of ore than $400K
An Orange County woman was arrested and federally charged for allegedly defrauding a high school football booster club out of over $400,000, the Department of Justice said.
Julie Hanway Molina, 56, is charged with four counts of wire fraud. Molina is accused of defrauding a nonprofit she created to financially support the Aliso Niguel High School football team to help pay some of the delinquent balance on her home's mortgage.
Prosecutors allege that from 2023 to November 2025, without the group's knowledge, as treasurer, Molina diverted funds from the booster club's bank account for her own personal expenses.
The Justice Department said that in June 2023, Molina allegedly wired more than $131,000 from the group's bank account in Laguna Hills through Federal Reserve facilities in New Jersey and Texas to an account in Santa Ana.
"To conceal these unauthorized payments, Molina sent numerous emails to the nonprofit's board members attaching false treasurer reports that failed to disclose her misappropriation of funds," the Justice Department said.
Prosecutors believe Molina defrauded the group out of about $411,761.
During her initial court appearance on Thursday, Molina pleaded not guilty to all charges. She was ordered released on $10,000 bond by a U.S. Magistrate Judge and her trial was scheduled to begin on November 2.
If convicted, Molina would face a statutory maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison for each count.
After the charges were announced, Aliso Viejo Mayor Max Duncan shared a statement with CBS LA, calling the allegations "deply disappointing."
"Aliso Viejo is a community with many young families, and youth sports are such an important part of who we are. As a father whose children have participated in youth sports here in our community, I understand how much these programs mean to our kids and their families," Duncan's statement said. "At the same time, my heart goes out to the many volunteers who give their time and energy to support these students and who are now dealing with the consequences of an alleged betrayal of that trust. Volunteer organizations rely on people who are willing to step up and serve their communities, and it is especially troubling when that trust is violated."
