Former California Booster-Club Treasurer Accused of Diverting $411,761
A former Orange County booster-club treasurer was arrested September 10 after federal prosecutors accused her of diverting approximately $411,761 from a nonprofit supporting a high school football program.
Julie Hanway Molina, 56, faces four counts of wire fraud in an indictment returned by a federal grand jury on September 2. Prosecutors allege that the transfers occurred from 2023 through November 2025 and included money used for Molina’s mortgage and credit-card bills.
The case also illustrates why small, volunteer-run nonprofits need financial controls that do not leave payment authority, recordkeeping and reporting concentrated with one person.
What prosecutors allege
According to the indictment and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Central District of California, Molina served as treasurer for the nonprofit and allegedly diverted funds from its bank account without the organization’s knowledge or authorization.
In June 2023, prosecutors allege, approximately $131,523 was wired from the nonprofit’s bank account to pay the delinquent balance on the mortgage of Molina’s residence. The indictment also alleges that other funds were used to pay personal credit-card bills.
Prosecutors further allege that Molina emailed board members treasurer reports that omitted the unauthorized payments. The indictment says those reports helped conceal the alleged misappropriation.
The total alleged loss was approximately $411,761, according to federal prosecutors. The FBI is investigating the case.
Each wire-fraud count carries a statutory maximum of 20 years in federal prison if there is a conviction. That is a legal maximum, not a prediction of the sentence Molina would receive.
The booster club was separate from the school district
ABC7 Los Angeles identified the organization as the Wolverine Football Club, a support organization connected to Aliso Niguel High School. The Capistrano Unified School District told ABC7 that Molina was not a district employee and that the booster club was a separate entity.
The federal allegations therefore concern the nonprofit and its former treasurer. They do not accuse the school district, the football program or other volunteers of wrongdoing.
Why nonprofit controls matter
Small nonprofits can reduce financial risk by requiring two-person approval for payments and separating payment authority from bank-reconciliation duties. Boards should independently review bank statements, financial reports and unusual transactions rather than relying solely on reports prepared by the person making disbursements.
Organizations should also review access to online banking, accounting software, checks and payment cards when officers change. Written conflict-of-interest procedures and documented approval for related-party or unusual transactions can provide another layer of oversight.
Those practices are general governance guidance, not findings about the booster club’s specific internal procedures. The indictment contains allegations for a criminal case, not a final determination of what happened inside the organization.
What the case does not establish
An IRS audit or compliance check is separate from a federal criminal prosecution. The IRS says audits examine an organization’s tax-related records, while compliance checks are a different type of review. Nothing in the available records establishes that the booster club was audited or that it violated nonprofit tax rules.
An indictment is an allegation, and Molina is presumed innocent unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. CBS Los Angeles reported that Molina pleaded not guilty at her initial court appearance, was released on a $10,000 bond and had a trial scheduled for November 2.
Further court appearances, motions, a possible plea or trial, and any verified recovery or disposition of the nonprofit’s funds are the next developments to watch.
Sources
- U.S. Department of Justice, Central District of California
- ABC7 Los Angeles
- CBS Los Angeles
- Internal Revenue Service
Look for updates to this story
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