Hempfield Township, PA – A former South Greensburg fire chief already jailed on theft charges is now accused of stealing more than $290,000 from a cemetery association in Hempfield Township, according to Pennsylvania State Police and the Westmoreland County District Attorney’s Office, expanding a case that spans multiple organizations and years.
Matthew White, 49, is facing an additional theft charge after investigators determined funds were missing from the St. Clair Cemetery Association, where he served as superintendent. Authorities allege White manipulated payroll and financial systems to overpay himself, deepening concerns about oversight failures in local nonprofit and public service entities.
Allegations tied to cemetery finances
State troopers say White overpaid himself through salary and commission while managing the cemetery’s operations, which included payroll, groundskeeping, supervising employees, and meeting with prospective clients. Investigators allege the fraudulent payments were concealed by deleting associated checks from the system.
The alleged thefts from the cemetery association are believed to have begun in 2022, according to law enforcement. The total amount missing exceeds $290,000, significantly increasing the financial scope of the case against White.
Earlier charges linked to fire department
The new charge follows a prior case filed in February, when audits revealed approximately $170,000 had been stolen from the South Greensburg Fire Department during White’s tenure as fire chief. That investigation also centered on financial misconduct involving organizational funds.
Authorities have not publicly detailed whether the two cases are being formally consolidated, but both involve allegations of sustained financial abuse by a person in a leadership position with direct control over funds.
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Key Points
• Matthew White accused of stealing over $290,000 from cemetery association
• Additional charge follows earlier $170,000 theft case tied to fire department
• Investigators allege payments were hidden by deleting checks from system
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Broader implications and case status
The case highlights ongoing concerns among prosecutors and law enforcement about financial oversight in smaller institutions, particularly those that rely on limited internal controls and place significant trust in individual administrators.
White remains held without bail at the Westmoreland County Prison as the investigation continues. Prosecutors have not announced a timeline for court proceedings or whether additional charges may be filed as financial reviews continue.
