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Zuleika Molina-Orozco, 38, Charged with $1 Million Wire Fraud in Humacao, Puerto Rico
A shocking case of deceit and greed has unfolded in Humacao, Puerto Rico, where Zuleika Molina-Orozco, the comptroller of a local athletic club, has been accused of masterminding a brazen $1 million wire fraud scheme. The scandal came to light when a federal grand jury in the District of Puerto Rico returned an indictment on February 23, 2023, charging Molina-Orozco with eight counts of wire fraud in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1343.
According to court documents, Molina-Orozco, 38, had access and control over the club’s bank account and between October 2019 and March 2022, she made 39 unauthorized wire transfers totaling $1,100,283.36. The money was used to pay her personal credit card expenses, purchase a 2020 Ford F-150 truck, and transfer funds to other individuals.
The indictment alleges that Molina-Orozco’s scheme was a carefully orchestrated plan to exploit her position of trust and authority. The defendant is scheduled to appear in court today at 1:30 p.m. before U.S. Magistrate Judge Marshal D. Morgan of the U.S. District Court for the District of Puerto Rico.
If convicted, Molina-Orozco faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison. The sentence will be determined by a federal district court judge after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
HSI investigated the case, and U.S. Attorney W. Stephen Muldrow of the District of Puerto Rico, and Rebecca C. González-Ramos, Acting Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), made the announcement. Assistant U.S. Attorney Scott H. Anderson is prosecuting the case.
An indictment is merely an allegation, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
The case highlights the importance of transparency and accountability in financial institutions and the need for vigilance in detecting and preventing such schemes.
Key Facts
- State: Puerto Rico
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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