AFL legend Robert ‘Dipper’ DiPierdomenico’s son Dylan accused of fraud

AFL legend Robert ‘Dipper’ DiPierdomenico’s son Dylan is accused of fleecing $115,000 from customers at a Nunawading golf company.

Dylan DiPierdomenico allegedly funnelled more than $115,000 of customers’ money into his own bank account.

The son of AFL legend Robert “Dipper” DiPierdomenico has been accused of fraud.

Dylan DiPierdomenico, 40, from Vermont, has been slapped with 67 deception offences relating to funnelling more than $115,000 of customers’ money into his own bank account while working at a leading wholesale golf company in Nunawading.

Whitehorse Crime Investigation Unit detectives allege he stole the mon­ey – which was for items bought by customers at MGI Golf – in 66 transactions between July 10, 2018, and June 3, 2019.

Court documents allege he used his personal bank account details and a “fraudulently created PayPal account to dishonestly obtain $115,153.00”.

Robert ‘Dipper’ DiPierdomenico with his son Dylan DiPierdomenico. Picture: Julie Kiriacoudis

The transactions varied from $38 to $5700.

Charge sheets allege Mr DiPierdomenico intended to permanently deprive Protege Sport Pty Ltd, which trades as MGI and specialises in motorised golf buggies, of the money.

Mr DiPierdomenico was charged last April with multiple counts of obtaining financial advantage and property by deception from the Maurice Court business. The crime carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in jail.

He faced Melbourne Magistrates Court last week where an eight-week adjournment was sought while the prosecution waits for a transcript of his police interview. Prosecutor Rebekah Fleming said a further statement from the complainant to “clarify the quantum” of funds stolen was also outstanding.

Mr DiPierdom­en­ico did not indicate during the brief hearing if he intended to contest the charges or plead guilty.

He was not supported in court by his father, a much-loved Hawthorn player and AFL Brownlow medallist who went on to be a jovial footy commentator when he hung up his boots in 1991.

It is not the first time his son has made headlines, after being embroiled in the ACCC’s Federal Court action against discount voucher company Scoopon in 2013.

Mr DiPierdomenico was named in court documents as Scoopon’s Victorian sales manager who told prospective advertisers misleading inform­ation about how they would profit from the vouchers.

He did not face criminal charges, but Scoopon was ordered to pay a $1m fine for the false and misleading representations that were in breach of Australian Consumer Law.

Mr DiPierdomenico will return to court in April.