PITTSBURGH—A Pittsburgh City Council staffer faces theft and false reporting charges for allegedly using taxpayer money to buy 13 chain saws then reporting them stolen.

Police say 27-year-old Matthew Hogue spent nearly $9,300 on the unauthorized purchase on March 9. The city controller's office says Hogue reported the saws stolen on April 18, after being questioned about the purchase.

Councilman Bruce Kraus says Hogue is being fired from his constituent services director job.

Kraus said Hogue had previously bought a chain saw and other equipment from the same vendor for community cleanup projects led by his office. But Kraus said the March 9 purchases weren't authorized.

Online court records say Hogue was being held on $5,000 bail after being arraigned early Friday.

:Police say they're trying to find the saws, which they believe Hogue sold.