SANTA ANA, Calif. — The former treasurer of an Orange County high school football booster club was arrested Wednesday on federal charges alleging she stole more than $400,000 from the nonprofit and used some of the money to pay her delinquent mortgage, officials stated.
Julie Hanway Molina, 56, of Aliso Viejo, is charged with four counts of wire fraud. She was expected to make her initial appearance and be arraigned Wednesday in federal court in Santa Ana.
According to the indictment, Molina diverted approximately $411,761 from the booster club’s bank account between 2023 and November 2025. Prosecutors allege she used the money for personal expenses, including mortgage and credit card payments.
In June 2023, Molina allegedly transferred approximately $131,523 from the nonprofit’s bank account in Laguna Hills to pay the delinquent balance on the mortgage for her home.
Prosecutors allege Molina concealed the unauthorized payments by emailing false financial reports to the nonprofit’s board members. The reports did not disclose that money had been taken from the organization, according to the indictment.
Each wire fraud count carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison. Any sentence would be determined by a judge after considering federal guidelines and other factors.
The FBI is investigating the case.
An indictment contains allegations. Molina is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.
🔴 Fact Checklist
- 🔴 Defendant: Julie Hanway Molina, 56, of Aliso Viejo
- 🔴 Former position: High school football booster club treasurer
- 🔴 Charges: Four counts of wire fraud
- 🔴 Amount allegedly stolen: Approximately $411,761
- 🔴 Mortgage payment: Approximately $131,523
- 🔴 Alleged scheme: 2023 through November 2025
- 🔴 Alleged concealment: False treasurer reports emailed to board members
- 🔴 Maximum penalty: 20 years in federal prison for each count
- 🔴 Investigating agency: FBI
- 🔴 Case status: Allegations only; the defendant is presumed innocent