The South Greensburg fire chief is accused of taking $170,000 from the department, according to Pennsylvania State Police.
A felony theft charge was filed this week against Matthew Thomas White, 49, of Hempfield. He is in custody in South Carolina, according to Trooper Steve Limani.
Police were notified a few days ago by White’s family that they were concerned for his well-being, which led authorities to look at his bank accounts and cellphone. Limani said such a review is typical for that type of an investigation.
It appeared White was in South Carolina, he said.
Police also enlisted help tracking White’s movements from the fire department, which Limani said revealed withdrawals connected to White.
“That obviously started to make it more apparent as to why he was doing what he was doing,” Limani said.
State police said in a criminal complaint that White transferred $170,000 from the fire department’s account into his own bank account since 2023. Troopers accuse him of using fire department funds to buy donations through an online checkout system and then transferring the money to himself, according to court papers.
“We usually find out about these things and then the person goes astray, but this was actually sort of the opposite,” Limani said. “We were looking for him for his safety and ultimately, in looking for him, found there was this large discrepancy in funds that were missing from the fire department’s coffers.”
White had not been arraigned Wednesday. He did not have an attorney listed in online court records. He has since been removed from the fire department, according to a statement.
Limani said troopers are looking into any organization where he had access to money. White’s voicemail indicated he is associated with St. Clair Cemetery in Hempfield.
In a statement, South Greensburg officials said the borough funds are separate from the fire department’s. The only money the borough provides to the fire department are payments for equipment insurance and firefighters and other invoices.
“The borough has received word from the South Greensburg Fire Department that it is under new management and is presently fully operational and able to provide the same level of service to the South Greensburg community,” the statement said.
In a separate statement, the South Greensburg Fire Department said it is cooperating with state police.
“This department maintains a strict policy of zero tolerance for any misuse of funds,” the statement said. “The trust placed in this organization by our community is paramount and will be safeguarded without exception. Any breach of that trust will be addressed promptly and decisively.”
Limani suggested any organization that holds money have more than one person able to control, or be notified of, withdrawals or transfers of funds.
“I think that is the only way in today’s day and age,” he said.
Neither White nor fire officials could be reached.
Editor’s Note: This story’s image has been updated. A image showing Southwest Greensburg Fire Department was incorrectly posted initially.
