COOPER CITY, Fla. – City officials say they’re troubled by the arrest of a former president of the Cooper City Optimist Club, who is facing “serious” fraud and theft charges.
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Jail records obtained by Local 10 News on Tuesday show that Herminio Molina, 57, is facing one count each of grand theft of more than $10,000 but less than $20,000, and obtaining property under $20,000 by fraud.
Deputies with the Broward Sheriff’s Office said the investigation into Molina began Jan. 4, after a Cooper City Parks maintenance supervisor and an assistant parks director reported that Molina had rented a city-owned soccer field without authorization, collecting a $200 Zelle payment from an individual who wished to remain anonymous.
Authorities said field rental occurred on Dec. 14, 2024.
Though Molina returned the $200 in cash to the assistant parks director on Jan. 9, he also allegedly asked him to lie to police and say the transaction was authorized, according to an arrest affidavit.
Authorities said the assistant parks director refused and gave a sworn statement confirming Molina had no authority to rent city fields or accept money on the city’s behalf.
Detectives said Molina‘s actions prompted a wider probe into his financial dealings.
Investigators say they uncovered a pattern of “deceitful” behavior involving personal enrichment through donations, concessions, and equipment purchases intended for the Cooper City Optimist — a nonprofit youth sports organization unaffiliated with the city.
Zelle records subpoenaed by investigators revealed that Molina accepted a $7,700 donation from Soccer Capacities LLC on July 31 and Sept. 9, 2024, to purchase 10 metal equipment boxes from ASM Metal Works.
Investigators said Molina used the donation to pay ASM but then submitted reimbursement requests to the Optimist Club as if he had personally covered the cost. The club’s treasurer, who was unaware of the donation, approved two reimbursements totaling $7,700.
The affidavit also details two $1,000 donations made by Sharp Blades Barbershop and Pool Service Inc. through Molina‘s personal Zelle account, according to the affidavit.
Authorities said neither of those donations was turned over to the Cooper City Optimist until Jan. 17 — months after they were received and only after Molina learned he was under investigation.
Detectives confirmed that Molina collected $3,358.86 in concession stand sales through Zelle — $1,780.10 in noted payments and $1,578.76 in payments consistent with sales but lacking description.
The affidavit states there were no Zelle deposits of similar size or frequency to Molina‘s accounts prior to the concession stand activity.
Despite collecting money over several months, authorities said Molina did not turn over any concession proceeds to the Optimist Club until Dec. 21, 2024, when he wrote a check for $281.50 in front of a concession manager.
The concession manager told deputies that she found the amount suspiciously low for an entire season and had never before been asked to witness a reimbursement check, according to the report.
Deputies said Molina‘s financial behavior displayed a pattern of continued deception — from collecting unauthorized field rental fees and delaying donation transfers to seeking reimbursements for expenses already covered by donors.
While the Optimist Club operates independently, the Cooper City leaders issued a statement Tuesday, saying it will continue to cooperate with investigators and is reviewing its own policies regarding field and facility rentals.
“The City values the Club’s long-standing mission, its positive role in our community, and its impact on the lives of local youth,” the statement read in part.
Records show Molina remains at the Broward Main Jail as of Tuesday morning, where he is being held on a $20,000 bond.
