Aliso Viejo, CA — A Southern California father says he was stunned to learn that his daughter had been arrested and accused of taking more than $400,000 from a high school football organization, allegedly using the money to cover personal expenses.
Julie Hanway Molina, 56, was arrested at her $1.4 million Aliso Viejo home on September 10, according to the allegations. She appeared in court the same day and was charged with four felony counts that could potentially send her to prison for up to 20 years.
Molina has pleaded not guilty and was released on $10,000 bond.
The indictment does not identify the nonprofit that allegedly lost the money. However, based on public sources referenced in court documents, the organization appears to be the Wolverines Football Club associated with Aliso Niguel High School.
Her father says she kept the case from him
Molina’s 90-year-old father, William Hanway, told the California Post that he had no idea his daughter was facing criminal allegations.
“I haven’t heard about it. She hasn’t told me anything that’s going on,” Hanway said.
He suggested his daughter may have intentionally kept the situation from him. Hanway also said Molina had never told him she was experiencing financial problems or asked him for money.
“She should have come to me,” he said, adding that he could have helped her financially if she had asked.
The comments offer a striking glimpse into how privately the alleged financial problems were handled within the family. Hanway, a widower whose wife died about a decade ago, lives alone. He said Molina and her husband, Anthony Molina, 52, regularly visit him and check on him.
“She’s taking care of me,” he said. “Julie and Anthony come here almost every day to check on me.”
Mom allegedly used football money for personal expenses
Prosecutors allege that Molina diverted money entrusted to her for a youth football-related organization and used it for personal financial obligations, including her mortgage and credit-card bills.
Federal prosecutor Bill Essayli described the allegations as a serious violation of trust because Molina was allegedly responsible for protecting funds raised for young people.
“This defendant was entrusted by the community with safeguarding money raised for young adults,” Essayli told the California Post. “She violated that trust.”
Prosecutors said they intend to seek a federal prison sentence if Molina is convicted.
The case centers on money connected to the football program at Aliso Niguel High School, a public school serving students in Aliso Viejo and Laguna Niguel.
Aliso Niguel football program has a long history
Aliso Niguel High School is part of the Capistrano Unified School District and serves students in grades 9 through 12.
Its football program has been an important part of the school’s athletic identity. In 1996, the varsity team went undefeated and won the CIF-SS Division VIII championship.
The program’s current season, however, has reportedly gotten off to a difficult start, with the team sitting at 0–3. The alleged financial misconduct has now put additional attention on the organization connected to the program.
Case moves toward November trial
Molina was arraigned Thursday in Santa Ana and again entered a not-guilty plea. She remains out of custody under the $10,000 bond, while the criminal case moves forward.
Her father says he had been unaware of the allegations before the arrest, despite seeing his daughter and son-in-law regularly.
The case will now turn to the evidence prosecutors present regarding the alleged financial transactions, the nonprofit’s funds and how the money was allegedly used.
Molina’s scheduled trial date is November 2, when the allegations against her are expected to move into another stage of the legal process. For now, the accusations remain allegations, and Molina is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
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