Football Booster Treasurer Indicted, Allegedly Used Kids' Money on Her Own Mortgage

Julie Hanway Molina ran the books for a nonprofit that existed to fund a high school football team. A federal grand jury says she used it to pay her own mortgage. [S2] She has pleaded not guilty. [S1]

PROOF

A federal grand jury returned an indictment against Molina on Sept. 2, alleging a scheme that ran from 2023 to November 2025. [S2] The indictment alleges she diverted funds from the Wolverine Football Club's bank account and used them to pay the mortgage on her own home and her credit card bills. [S1] Total taken: $411,761.54. [S1]

One wire is detailed to the dollar. On June 23, 2023, $131,523.54 moved from the club's Farmers and Merchants Bank account in Laguna Hills through Federal Reserve facilities in New Jersey and Texas to "Mr. Cooper's" account in Santa Ana — Molina's mortgage company. [S1] Three more counts allege she emailed false treasurer reports on Aug. 21, Oct. 30 and Nov. 26, each traveling from California through a Washington server, understating the account balances to keep the board in the dark. [S1] As treasurer, Molina had the ability to co-sign checks, approve disbursements and receive dues — the access that made the whole thing possible. [S2]

She is charged with four counts of wire fraud, each carrying up to 20 years in federal prison. [S1] Prosecutors are seeking forfeiture, including the $1.4 million Aliso Viejo home the mortgage payments went toward saving. [S2] If the house can't be forfeited, the government wants a money judgment for its value instead. [S2] Molina was arrested at that home Thursday, arraigned, and released on $10,000 bond. [S1] Her trial is set for Nov. 2 before U.S. District Judge Mónica Ramírez Almadani. [S1] Chief Assistant U.S. Attorney Jennifer L. Waier is prosecuting. [S3]

PUBLIC OPINION

First Assistant U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli said, "We're going after all fraud, big or small." [S1] He told The California Post, "This defendant was entrusted by the community with safeguarding money raised for young adults. She violated that trust and is now a charged felon," and added, "Our prosecutors are committed to holding her fully accountable, including seeking a federal prison sentence." [S2] To TMZ he put it plainer: "This treasurer managed community funds for student athletes and breached that trust." [S5] Essayli also acknowledged to NBC Los Angeles the dollar figure is small by federal standards, "but this is a big deal to the local community. That was a lot of money that those students and parents worked hard to raise." [S1]

Aliso Viejo Mayor Max Duncan issued a statement calling it "particularly" disappointing "because these funds were intended to support our young athletes and their experience at Aliso Niguel High School," and said he supports the volunteers "who are now dealing with the consequences of an alleged betrayal of that trust." [S1] Neighbor Angela Dimitrov told NBC Los Angeles, "I'm shocked," after learning about it from her son on back-to-school night. [S1] Parent Tony Delmarmol said of youth sports fundraising, "so I know what it's like. You have to spend a lot of money for that." [S1] The Wolverine Football Club itself posted on its website: "We are aware of the recent developments regarding the former treasurer. We have been cooperating fully with law enforcement throughout this process and will continue to do so." [S1]

BULLSHIT DEFENSE

Molina has pleaded not guilty. [S1] NBC News reached out to her attorney, who was not immediately available for comment. [S1] No defense from Molina or her lawyer beyond that not-guilty plea appears anywhere in the sources.

A nonprofit that ran on car washes and concession stands trusted one person with the checkbook. Prosecutors say she paid her own mortgage with it and told the board everything was fine.