Suffolk Reporter

Matthew Dickson, 44, of Dix Hills and the former Vice President and President of the Dix Hills Soccer Club, pleaded guilty to Petit Larceny for embezzling over $70,000 from the club in 2022. The announcement was made by Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney.

"This defendant executed a scheme to line his own pockets with funds that were intended to benefit children," said District Attorney Tierney. "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."

Dix Hills Soccer Club president Martin Targett commented on the outcome: "Justice has been served for the members of our club and community. 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."

Court documents and Dickson's admissions during his guilty plea allocution revealed that between April and November 2022, Dickson was responsible for paying bills associated with the Dix Hills Soccer Club. During this period, he held positions as Vice President and later President of the soccer club. Instead of paying expenses, Dickson wrote checks to himself and his corporation from the soccer club’s account without board permission. Further investigation showed that he collected payments from club members through his personal Venmo account for soccer-related events but did not deposit them into the club’s bank account. Additionally, he failed to reimburse expenses charged on the soccer club’s credit card.

On September 6, 2024, Dickson pleaded guilty before Supreme Court Justice John B. Collins. Prosecutors required him to pay $76,237 in restitution to the soccer club and write an apology letter to its board of directors before entering his plea. As additional conditions of his plea deal, Dickson will serve three years probation and complete over 400 hours of community service.