Bethlehem solicitor: No other city officials targeted as part of alleged interstate drug ring

BETHLEHEM, Pa. — After Bethlehem Right-to-Know Officer Zach Cole-Borghi was arrested last week on drug charges, city solicitor John Spirk Jr. said Tuesday that was the extent of city employees being investigated on the matter.

“One thing that I have been authorized by the prosecutor to state, and that is that there is no ongoing investigation of the city of Bethlehem or its officers, officials, employees, city council members," Spirk told City Council.

Court records in the case remain under seal, according to Spirk.

Cole-Borghi, a member of Spirk’s office and also a Lehigh County commissioner, was arrested at City Hall on Thursday and charged with possession with the intent to deliver a pound of marijuana and possession of marijuana, according to Lehigh County District Attorney Gavin Holihan.

Cole-Borghi was among more than 20 people arrested as part of a three-year grand jury investigation into an alleged interstate drug ring in Lehigh County, Montgomery County, Northampton County, Philadelphia, New York City, Chicago and Wisconsin.

Authorities also seized $100,000 cash, at least 25 firearms, 2,000 pounds of marijuana, THC liquid, cocaine and MDMA pills, according to the DA.

Cole-Borghi has been released from Lehigh County Jail after posting $50,000 bail.

Officials said last week they were not able to comment at the time on whether other city employees were subjects of the investigation.

'Will continue' cooperating with DA

Bethlehem Mayor J. William Reynolds said the administration and others in City Hall have just been working to get the facts straight.

“It is the advice of our labor counsel for us specifically to not say anything other than the fact that this individual is no longer employed here,” Mayor J. William Reynolds said Tuesday.

Police Chief Michelle Kott said BPD “fully cooperated with the Lehigh County District Attorney’s Office, and we will continue to do so.”

Answering a question from Councilwoman Rachel Leon, Kott said she could not share when BPD became involved in the investigation.

'Delicate and concerning'

A couple of council members said they should have been alerted of the arrest sooner to avoid confusion — even if details were slim.

“I feel strongly that as a branch of government, we should have been informed of this, and I shouldn’t have to read it in the paper or hearsay from people,” Councilwoman Grace Crampsie Smith said.

“I think the people in the community look for the mayor or the leader to make a statement about something that is as delicate and concerning as this,” she said.

Councilman Bryan Callahan agreed.

“I just think there’s things that are being brought up that are raising a lot of red flags with me,” Callahan said.

“And I just think at some point the rest of council has got to step up — I mean, it can’t be me all the time and Ms. Crampsie Smith.

“We have oversight responsibilities.”

Callahan asked about Cole-Borghi’s qualifications, job performance and ethics behind the scenes — to which Spirk would not speak.

Callahan said he would work to request further information from the DA’s office.

'Disappointed'

Councilwoman Hillary Kwiatek said releasing information too soon last week may have affected other warrants in the process of being served.

“I think I'm just expressing my concern about the fact that this information may have been inappropriately shared,” Kwiatek said.

Bethlehem Human Resources Director Michelle Cichocki said it’s typically a case-by-case basis on deciding what’s next for an employee facing criminal charges.

When a city employee inappropriately shares information, he or she could be subject to disciplinary measures under the city’s Code of Ethics, she said.

Resident Valerie Noonan said, “Zach was always helpful to me in responding to right to know requests and unless he was using on the job.

"I don't see how this has anything to do with his ability to assist the people of Bethlehem.

“I'm disappointed to hear that he's been let go.”