Robert ‘Dipper’ DiPierdomenico’s son Dylan denies defrauding golf company of $115,000

Robert ‘Dipper’ DiPierdomenico’s son Dylan has pleaded not guilty to fleecing money from a Melbourne golf company to fund his gambling addiction.

It’s alleged Dylan Dipierdomenico fleeced $115,153 in 66 transactions between July 2018 and June 2019.

The son of AFL great Robert “Dipper” DiPierdomenico has denied allegations he fleeced $115,000 from a golf company to fund his gambling addiction.

Dylan DiPierdomenico, 40, appeared in Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday where he pleaded not guilty to 71 charges of dishonestly obtaining property while working at a leading wholesale golf company in Nunawading.

“Not guilty, your honour,” he said when asked for his plea.

Police allege the former national sales manager at MGI Golf, which specialises in motorised golf buggies, stole money by creating fake PayPal accounts using the company’s details.

Dylan DiPierdomenico has pleaded not guilty to dishonestly obtaining property. Picture: Nicki Connolly

He then allegedly altered invoices to paying customers to include his personal bank details.

After receiving payment, Mr DiPierdomenico allegedly changed invoice names to existing account holders or deleted them all together.

It’s alleged he would then write-off products as damaged stock or giveaways before sending them to customers.

“MGI Golf were left to believe their product had been sent out to support their business ... but instead were actually now at a financial loss,” court documents state.

In a statement to police, MGI Golf’s managing director said he confronted Mr DiPierdomenico after discovering up to 30 suspicious transactions.

The managing director told investigators Mr DiPierdomenico admitted stealing money to fund his gambling addiction and apologised for his conduct.

“He seemed almost relieved because it was ‘only a matter of time before he got caught’,” the police statement said.

It’s alleged Mr DiPierdomenico, from Vermont, fleeced $115,153 in 66 transactions between July 2018 and June 2019.

He was initially charged with 67 counts of obtaining financial advantage by deception but they were struck out at Wednesday’s hearing, with his lawyer saying the case was close to being resolved.

Mr DiPierdomenico’s father Robert “Dipper” DiPierdomenico played 240 games for Hawthorn and was the 1986 Brownlow medallist before he became a footy commentator following his retirement.

Mr DiPierdomenico is on bail and will appear in the County Court on August 9 for a directions hearing.