The former South Greensburg fire chief will be evaluated by a psychiatrist while he awaits the outcome of a felony theft case against him.
A motion for the evaluation filed by defense attorney Brian Aston indicates Matthew White, 49, of Hempfield, needs a forensic evaluation to determine his mental health status, diagnosis and a treatment plan. The motion was approved last week by a judge, according to court records.
White was charged with theft Feb. 9 by state police who accuse him of taking $170,000 from the South Greensburg Fire Department. Police said he was taken into custody in South Carolina.
He was extradited to Pennsylvania March 6 and waived his right to a preliminary hearing on Tuesday. White is being held at the Westmoreland County Prison without bail.
Troopers were notified by White’s family in early February that they were concerned for his well-being. Investigators said they learned he had gone south through bank and cellphone records.
A related review of fire department records showed transfers totaling $170,000 into White’s bank account since 2023, according to court papers. Troopers accuse him of using fire department funds to buy donations through an online checkout system and then transferring the money to himself.
The motion for forensic evaluation indicated White “may be suffering from a mental health disorder or disorders, including but not limited to a gambling-related addiction.”
Police are investigating any organization where White had access to money. His voicemail indicated he had connections to St. Clair Cemetery in Hempfield.
He was removed from the fire department after the arrest and South Greensburg officials said no taxpayer money was affected.