Orange County Football Mom Charged in $400K Embezzlement Scheme, Father Says He Knew Nothing

Julie Hanway Molina, 56, faces four felony counts after allegedly stealing over $400K from a high school football nonprofit. Her 90-year-old father says she never told him about the charges.

Father of Accused Football Booster Club Treasurer Blindsided by Arrest

Julie Hanway Molina, 56, of Aliso Viejo kept her federal arrest a secret from her own father, according to the 90-year-old man himself — even as Los Angeles' top federal prosecutor vowed to seek prison time, NY Post Metro reports.

Molina was arrested at her $1.4 million home on Sept. 10 in a dawn raid by federal agents, who ordered her outside with her hands in the air. She appeared in court the same day and was charged with four felony counts related to the alleged embezzlement of more than $400,000 from a high school football nonprofit. The charges carry a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison.

The victim nonprofit is not named in the indictment, but court documents point to the Wolverines Football Club at Aliso Niguel High School in the Capistrano Unified School District, a California Distinguished School whose football program has historically drawn strong community support.

Father says daughter hid her arrest

William Hanway told reporters Sunday he had no idea his daughter was facing federal charges. "I haven't heard about it. She hasn't told me anything that's going on," Hanway said. "She probably didn't want to."

The widower lives alone — his wife died ten years ago — and said Molina and her husband, Anthony Molina, 52, visit him several times a week. "She's taking care of me," Hanway said. "Julie and Anthony come here almost every day to check on me."

He added that his daughter never indicated she was in financial difficulty and never asked him for money. "She should have come to me. I could have given her quite a bit of money if I needed to, but she was wanting to do it independently," he said.

Hanway also revealed that Molina previously managed accounts for his fire alarm business, Safety Systems Technology, which designed fire detection equipment and closed four years ago.

Prosecutor: a serious breach of trust

U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli, Los Angeles' top federal prosecutor, said the case represents a fundamental violation of community trust. "This defendant was entrusted by the community with safeguarding money raised for young adults. She violated that trust and is now a charged felon," Essayli said. "Our prosecutors are committed to holding her fully accountable, including seeking a federal prison sentence."

Molina, a mother of one, was arraigned Thursday in Santa Ana. She pleaded not guilty to all four felony counts and was released on $10,000 bond. Her trial is scheduled for Nov. 2.

Prosecutors allege the money was used to pay her mortgage and credit card bills. Molina lives with her husband and their teenage son in the Aliso Viejo property where she was arrested.

Aliso Niguel High School, located on Wolverine Way and serving students from the communities of Aliso Viejo and Laguna Niguel, has a storied football history. In 1996, its varsity team went undefeated and won the CIF-SS Division VIII championship. The team's current season record stands at 0–3.

Source: NY Post Metro