Dylan DiPierdomenico charged with theft from employer

The son of an AFL legend is accused of stealing more than $115,000 in golf gear from a former employer.

Dylan DiPierdomenico has denied stealing golf equipment from a former employer. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Nicki Connolly

The son of AFL great Robert DiPierdomenico has denied allegations he stole more than $115,000 worth of golfing equipment from a former employer.

Dylan DiPierdomenico, 40, faces 70 charges of dishonestly obtaining property from his time as a sales manager for MGI Golf, a sporting goods store in the Melbourne suburb of Nunawading, across 2018 and 2019.

According to documents released by the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday, Mr DiPierdomenico carried out the alleged thefts by faking invoices for equipment.

Dylan DiPierdomenico is accused of faking invoices for golf equipment. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Nicki Connolly

Mr DiPierdomenico, from Vermont, entered a plea of not guilty in court on Wednesday, appearing via videolink alongside his lawyer Christopher Farrington.

Prosecutor Edwina Dane told the court that the first 67 charges against the accused had been withdrawn, leaving the remaining 70.

Magistrate Andrew McKenna said that the evidence for the remaining charges, taken at its highest, was strong enough to support a conviction.

Mr McKenna committed Mr DiPierdomenico to stand trial in the County Court, where he faces a directions hearing in August.

AFL great Robert DiPierdomenico and his son Dylan. Picture: Julie Kiriacoudis

Mr Farrington told the court that the matter was “very close to resolution”.

According to Senior Constable Robert Gyarmathy’s statement released by the court, Mr DiPierdomenico allegedly used the funds to finance his gambling addiction.

Constable Gyarmathy alleges Mr DiPierdomenico made fake PayPal accounts with MGI Golf’s details and altered MGI Golf’s invoices so that they contained his own bank details.

The statement alleges Mr DiPierdomenico would receive payment from customers into either his own bank account or the MGI account that only he had access to.

Mr DiPierdomenico, after receiving payment, would adjust the invoices to an existing account holder, a golf-related business or delete the invoice altogether, Constable Gyarmathy alleges.

While the customer would receive the goods paid for, Constable Gyarmathy alleges MGI Golf would believe the products had been sent out as a giveaway, promotion or a prize.

Mr DiPierdomenico will return to court on August 9.