Dix Hills Soccer Club President Admits To Stealing $70K From Club: DA

SUFFOLK COUNTY, NY — The former president and vice president of the Dix Hills Soccer Club admitted Friday to embezzling more than $70K from the club in 2022, Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond Tierney announced.

Matthew Dickson, 44, of Dix Hills, pleaded guilty to petty larceny.

"This defendant executed a scheme to line his own pockets with funds that were intended to benefit children," Tierney said in a news release. "Today’s guilty plea not only holds him accountable for his betrayal of trust, but is also an important step towards making his victims feel whole again as my office required the defendant pay back the full amount of money to the soccer club."

Between April and November 2022, Dickson was responsible for paying the bills associated with the Dix Hills Soccer Club, according to court documents. During that period, Dickson held the position of vice president, and then later, president, of the club, the DA's Office said.

Instead of paying the expenses, Dickson began writing checks to himself and to his corporation from the soccer club’s account without the board of directors’ permission, prosecutors said. Dickson collected payments from club members through his personal Venmo account for soccer-related events, but then never deposited into the club’s bank account, investigators said. He also did not reimburse the club for expenses that he charged on the soccer club’s credit card, officials said.

Dickson pleaded guilty to petty larceny. Prior to his plea, prosecutors required Dickson to pay $76,237 in restitution to the soccer club and write an apology letter to the board of directors, the DA's Office said.

Dickson will be required to serve three years of probation and complete over 400 hours of community service as part of his plea.

"Justice has been served for the members of our club and community," said Dix Hills Soccer Club President Martin Targett. "We are pleased our procedures allowed us to identify the wrongdoing, and we are grateful for the professionalism and collaboration with the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office."

Dickson is due back in court for sentencing on Nov. 15 and is being represented by James Misiano.