Woman accused of embezzling $400,000 from high school football booster club in California

ALISO VIEJO, Calif. -- A former treasurer for a California high school football organization was arrested Thursday on a federal indictment alleging she defrauded the nonprofit of more than $400,000, authorities said.

Julie Hanway Molina, 56, was charged with four counts of wire fraud, according to the indictment.

FBI agents took Molina into custody outside her Aliso Viejo home Thursday morning.

As agents arrived, Molina answered a phone call from authorities and, after a few minutes, came out of the residence with her hands raised.

She was expected to be booked into the Santa Ana Jail and appear before a federal judge later in the day.

According to the indictment, between 2023 through November 2025, Molina secretly diverted the funds from the Aliso Niguel High School's Wolverine Football Club to pay her mortgage and credit card bills.

Prosecutors also allege that Molina used false treasurer reports to conceal the thefts totaling $411,761.

ABC affiliate KABC spoke briefly with Molina's husband, who had just left before her arrest. He is not facing any charges and says he had no idea, appearing confused after FBI agents drove his wife away.

Meanwhile, in a statement, the Wolverine Football Club told KABC it is aware of the allegations regarding their former treasurer, and they have cooperated fully with law enforcement throughout the investigation.

A spokesperson for the Capistrano Unified School District confirmed that Molina was never a district employee, noting the booster club is a separate entity.

Aliso Viejo Mayor Max Duncan said the news of her arrest traveled fast.

"Aliso Viejo is a very resilient community. We have tons of family support out here. We know that the parents will come together and make this right," he said.

If convicted, Molina would face a maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison for each count.