Former OC football booster treasurer faces fraud charges over $400,000

A former Orange County high school football booster club treasurer faces four federal wire fraud counts after prosecutors alleged she diverted about $400,000 to cover personal expenses, NBC Los Angeles reported. Julie Hanway Molina, 56, was arrested at her home in Aliso Viejo.

The allegations concern money held by the Wolverine Football Club, a nonprofit fundraising group supporting high school football. Prosecutors say Molina concealed unauthorized payments by sending the board inaccurate financial reports.

According to NBC Los Angeles, the federal indictment alleges Molina diverted the money between 2023 and November 2025. Prosecutors say she used club funds for mortgage payments, credit card bills and other personal spending.

One transaction cited in the indictment involved about $131,500 in June 2023. The money allegedly moved from the club’s Laguna Hills bank account through Federal Reserve facilities in New Jersey and Texas to an account in Santa Ana.

Prosecutors allege Molina emailed treasurer reports to board members that left out the funds she had allegedly misappropriated. They say those omissions concealed the unauthorized payments.

NBC Los Angeles reported that Molina’s initial court appearance was scheduled in Santa Ana for later Thursday, following her arrest. The supplied report did not specify the calendar date, and it was not immediately clear whether she had an attorney who could speak for her.

If convicted, Molina faces up to 20 years in federal prison on each count, the report said. That is the statutory maximum, not a sentence imposed in the case.

The Wolverine Football Club said it is cooperating with law enforcement and would not discuss details while the case remains active. Its current board said it remains focused on supporting student-athletes and the football program.