Dylan DiPierdomenico: Son of AFL legend Robert ‘Dipper’ DiPierdomenico jailed for $144,000 fraud from golfing goods employer

The son of AFL great Robert ‘Dipper’ DiPierdomenico has learned his fate after he was caught ripping off his employer to fuel a gambling addiction.

The son of AFL legend Robert ‘Dipper’ DiPierdomenico hung his head as he was told he would spend the next nine months behind bars for defrauding his former golfing goods employer.

Dylan DiPierdomenico appeared in the Victorian County Court on Thursday for sentencing after pleading guilty to a single rolled-up charge of obtaining financial advantage by deception.

Judge Richard Maidment said the 41-year-old funnelled $144, 716.30 to his own bank accounts over a 10 month period by altering invoices to customers at MGI Golf while working as the national sales manager.

DiPierdomenico was jailed for nine months. Picture: NewsWire/Ian Currie

The offending began in August 2018, just months after his was given the role without any experience in the sales industry.

“As with almost every case of this nature each gambler thinks the next big win will cover the tracks of this dishonest conduct,” Judge Maidment said.

“Your situation is not an unusual one as you have no doubt been told.”

The court was told DiPierdomenico was in the grips of a long-term gambling addiction, which he kept hidden because he’d been warned by his wife he was on his “last chance”.

The fraud was uncovered in June 2019 by MGI Gold managing director Carrie Edwards-Britt following an internal review when she noticed a gold buggy had been put through the system as sold for $0.

His father, Robert DiPierdomenico, was a much admired player with the Hawks. Picture: Supplied.

DiPierdomenico was confronted on June 5 and immediately confessed, first claiming he believed the total amount was only about $10,000.

“I’m really sorry, you’ve done so much for me,” he said.

The court was told DiPierdomenico initially tried to cover his tracks by altering several invoices and paying for the items on his credit card.

The internal review found over the period of offending he had repaid $18,166,50 — with the company’s total loss at $122,550.20.

In a statement to the court, Ms Edwards-Britt said after the offending came to light she was in “damage control” still discovering fraudulent transactions six months after he was let go.

“He was on a well-paying position … and abused our trust and good nature,” she said.

“The damage he caused could have ruined our business if not for the support of our staff, customers, friends and family.

“The saddest part of all is if Dylan had come to us for help we would have helped him, he didn’t need to steal from us.”

Dylan DiPierdomenico, the son of former Hawthorn footballer Robert DiPierdomenico, leaves the County Court on January 20. Picture: NewsWire/Ian Currie

Judge Maidment said the court had received a series of references from friends, family and subsequent employers that painted Dylan as hardworking, remorseful and an engaged father to his two daughters.

But he said it was concerning DiPierdomenico took 12 months to come clean to his next employer after he was let go by MGI Golf and charged by police.

“It’s easy enough for a person in your position to steal if they wanted to, in this case you fell to that temptation,” he said.

The court was told in the 5 ½ years since his offending came to light, DiPierdomenico had failed to repay a single dollar to company, instead prioritising his legal fees.

But Judge Maidment said he was satisfied DiPierdomenico was genuinely remorseful and had spent the time since he was charged working on himself.

He has agreed to a compensation order to repay the full amount.

DiPierdomenico hung his head and wiped his face with his hand as he was told he would be jailed for nine months.

Once released he will have to complete a two-year community corrections order, with supervision and 200 hours of unpaid community work.

Originally published as Dylan DiPierdomenico: Son of AFL legend Robert ‘Dipper’ DiPierdomenico jailed for $144,000 fraud from golfing goods employer