Add The California Post on Google The shocked father of an Orange County mom accused of embezzling more than $400,000 from a high school football team to pay her mortgage and credit cards says she has kept her arrest a secret from him.
Julie Hanway Molina, 56, was dramatically arrested at her $1.4 million Aliso Viejo home on Sept. 10 and appeared in court the same day to be charged with four felony counts that could land her behind bars for up to 20 years.
The indictment does not name the victim nonprofit. Based on public sources identified in court documents, the victim appears to be the Wolverines Football Club at Aliso Niguel High School.
Aliso Niguel High School is a public high school within the Capistrano Unified School District serving students in grades 9 through 12 from the communities of Aliso Viejo and Laguna Niguel.
Located on Wolverine Way, it has been recognized as a California Distinguished School. Its football team is especially popular.
In 1996, the school’s varsity team went undefeated and won the CIF-SS Division VIII championship. Its record in the current season is 0–3.
The mom of one, who has pleaded not guilty and was released on $10,000 bond, was ordered out of her home with her hands in the air during a dawn raid by federal agents.
William Hanway told the California Post Sunday he had no knowledge of the claims against Molina, who lives with husband Anthony Molina, 52, and their teenage son.
“I haven’t heard about it. She hasn’t told me anything that’s going on,” he said. “She probably didn’t want to.”
Hanway, 90, said his daughter never disclosed to him that she was experiencing financial difficulties. “She hasn’t ever asked me to give her money to do anything,” he said. “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.”
The widower, whose wife passed away 10 years ago, lives alone and said his daughter and her husband 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.”
The former business owner said his daughter previously managed the accounts for his fire alarm company called Safety Systems Technology, which designed fire detection equipment and closed four years ago.
Meanwhile, Los Angeles’ top federal prosecutor Bill Essayli said her alleged actions represent a serious breach of trust and that prosecutors will seek a stiff prison sentence.
“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 told the California Post. “Our prosecutors are committed to holding her fully accountable, including seeking a federal prison sentence.”
Molina was arraigned Thursday in Santa Ana and pleaded not guilty to the charges. She was ordered released on $10,000 bond, with her trial scheduled for Nov. 2.
California Post News: Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, X, YouTube, WhatsApp, LinkedInCalifornia Post Sports Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, XCalifornia Post Opinion California Post Newsletters: Sign up here!California Post App: Download here!Home delivery: Sign up here!Page Six Hollywood: Sign up here!
