Purported text messages supporting more than 100 felony charges against Lehigh County Commissioner Zachary Cole-Borghi detail a series of alleged drug transactions over the past two years, some of them while Cole-Borghi was at work at Bethlehem City Hall or heading to meetings as a county commissioner.
In one message string, Cole-Borghi is arranging a drug deal while at a county meeting, according to the affidavit and authorities.
The messages are between him and people described by police as “cooperating sources.” Police say the conversations were regarding the sale of drugs, including cocaine and marijuana.
In some cases, Cole-Borghi references being at work (he was Bethlehem’s Right to Know officer before being fired following his arrest in August on separate charges) or at events related to his position at Lehigh County commissioner. In others, he mentions being with family, according to court documents.
Here are excerpts of some of those text message conversations:
Dec. 25-26, 2023
In a thread that begins on Christmas that police says involved the sale of marijuana and THC products, Cole-Borghi reveals to the source that he works at Bethlehem City Hall:
Cooperating Source: It’s $200 for QP or $350 on hp of shake
I’ll throw in a cart too
COLE BORGHI: I appreciate it man! Tomorrow is perfect
Cooperating Source: For which order you want?
COLE BORGHI: I’ll take the hp
Cooperating Source: Okay nice. I got you bro. It’s put together and comes with free cart
COLE BORGHI: Fantastic
Cooperating Source: What time you up?
COLE BORGHI: I work at 8am I’m up early but I can step away for a break
Cooperating Source: I’ll be to you at like 6:30-7am
Cooperating Source: Coming ya way
COLE BORGHI: Hang tight. I’m already at the office my guy. Had to open up early
Cooperating Source: That’s cool im gonna be in ya area
Cooperating Source: Wydforwork
Cooperating Source: Want me to drop it to ya sister and you send me the money?
COLE BORGHI: That would of been perfect but I have cash. I work at city hall so I can’t meet around here but I can meet you on my lunch at 11?
Cooperating Source: Oh okay I could drop to here and just meet you for the bread
March 8-9, 2025
On these dates, police allege, Cole-Borghi arranged to sell two “8-balls” of cocaine for $400 outside a store in west Bethlehem. At one point, he tells the source he’s at a child’s birthday party:
Cooperating Source 4: Yo
COLE BORGHI: Yoyo
Cooperating Source 4: You still want a taste?
Cooperating Source 4: You put it in my head
COLE BORGHI: fol I’m good!
Cooperating Source 4: So, no deals today?
COLE BORGHI: Oh you need some?
Cooperating Source 4: You got me craving
COLE BORGHI: lol
COLE BORGHI: I can reach out but I’m at Chuck E. Cheese right now for [REDACTED] bday I’ll hit you/him up when this is all done
Cooperating Source 4: Around what time?
Cooperating Source 4: And Happy Birthday
COLE BORGHI: 3/4
Cooperating Source 4: Sounds good!
March 19-20
About 10 days after that conversation, Cole-Borghi arranges to sell additional cocaine to the source, police allege. At this time, he’s attending the Peace and Justice Symposium at Northampton Community College.
Cooperating Source 4: What time do you work till
COLE BORGHI: I have a board meeting at 330 and should be done by 530 but then I have to go speak at the mosque at 6 for the Ramadan iftar.
I should be taking my board meeting from home at 330 though
I’ll let you know
Cooperating Source 4: Not gonna work out
Can we work something out for after I get out at 4 tomorrow?
COLE BORGHI: Yea he is back tomorrow how much do you want me to grab you?
Cooperating Source 4: 2 balls.
But I don’t want to have to come back to Bethlehem
COLE BORGHI: Ok I’ll set it up but I’m not out of work until 430 lol
If you can bring the money before it will be easier
Cooperating Source 4: I don’t go in until noon. Want me to come to the job?
COLE BORGHI: Do you have cash app?
Cooperating Source 4: No
COLE BORGHI: If you can download it I can get it over to him faster and have it tonight for you to give you at 12 tomorrow?
Cooperating Source 4: Hold please. Is this a legit app?
COLE BORGHI: It’s like Venmo and it’s very legit lol
You geezer
Cooperating Source 4: Ok I have it. Don’t know how to use it lol
COLE BORGHI: My cash app is: [sends his Cash App handle with a QR Code]
You gotta type it in with the$ first
Yup!
Cooperating Source 4: Get it?
COLE BORGHI: Yes I did!
Cooperating Source 4: Take a taste
I can be near you around 11 :30 if that works?
COLE BORGHI: Awesome and sounds good!
The next day
COLE BORGHI: Hey I’m gonna be at Northampton community college at that you want to meet but I will bring it with me. I have to attend a justice symposium
Cooperating Source 4: I have to clock in at noon. You tell me
Do you want me to try to meet earlier or after work?
Cooperating Source 4: If you can stop by NCC around 11 or so I can come out and meet you?
Parked at D5
Cooperating Source 4: Ok
COLE BORGHI: I’m already out here in the car taking a break so I’ll be here for you to meet me and won’t have to wait
Do you have a weed pen on you?? lol
Cooperating Source 4: Leaving now
Cooperating Source 4: I can bring one
COLE BORGHI: (responds with a praying hands emoji)
My stomach is killing me lol
Moved toA6
Cooperating Source 4: Just got to D5lol
COLE BORGHI: lol
July 1, 2025
While discussing a transaction in which Cole-Borghi allegedly sells cocaine, he and the source joke about his position as a county commissioner.
Cooperating Source 4: Yo
COLE BORGHI: Yerr
Cooperating Source 4: I’m going to be ready for 3 on Thursday. Does that work
COLE BORGHI: That works I’ll get it set up do you want me to grab tomorrow so you can grab it on the way to work?
Cooperating Source 4: Yeah, that works
COLE BORGHI: Just send over the money when you can and I’ll have it ready for you and the 2 shroom pills
Your my cash app sugar mama with the clothes and food (laughing emoji)
Cooperating Source 4: “County commissioner moonlights as escort” (laughing emoji)
COLE BORGHI: Laughed at “County commissioner moonlights as escort”
April 23-25, 2025
One of the affidavits includes strings of text messages between Cole-Borghi and another source regarding cocaine deals, police said. Police said video of the Lehigh County Commissioners meeting on April 23 shows Cole-Borghi on his cell phone at a time that coincides with the text messages.
COLE BORGHI: Hey buddy can I come see you after my meeting I just need 1
Cooperating Source 3: Yea
COLE BORGHI: I’m at my commissioner meeting now. Could be done anytime between 8 and 930 but I’ll hit you up and let you know when I’m Coming
Cooperating Source 3: Ok
COLE BORGHI: Ending soon buddy we’re at the closing agenda items
Cooperating Source 3: Ok
COLE BORGHI: On my way
Cooperating Source 3: Ok
COLE BORGHI: Pulling up in 2 mins
Cooperating Source 3: Here
Cooperating Source 3: When h gonna send that bro I got pay the guy
COLE BORGHI: Did you ever get it?
Cooperating Source 3: No I did not
COLE BORGHI: I’m sending again right now let me know if you get it
Jan. 31, 2025
Cooperating Source 2: Vo brother man they let me out a little early I’m omw
About 15 min
COLE BORGHI: Awesome! I’ll meet you out front
You wouldn’t happen to be stopping at a gas station/wawa by any chance?
I’ll get you something for dinner if you can grab me cigs and game
Cooperating Source 2: lol I would but I do not have my id on me
I left my wallet in my girls car
COLE BORGHI: All good my guy! Meet me out front for the stuff and I’ll send you the Dough my dude
Cooperating Source 2: Snm my guy
COLE BORGHI: What does snm stand for? Loi
Cooperating Source 2: Say no more
It’s a habit
I say it to everyone lol
30 sec boss man
COLE BORGHI: Coming out
(APPLE CASH CONFIRMATION}
COLE BORGHI: Thank you again my guy. I’m sure you are exhausted
Cooperating Source 2: Anytime brother man and I snuck my pen into work today so it wasn’t terrible
COLE BORGHI: Laughed at “Anytime brother man and I snuck my pen into work t … “
COLE BORGHI: If you can get a cdl I can get you into the city doing cake work and building a pension if your
Start doing seasonal if you don’t have a cdl but happy to help you in
Cooperating Source 2: I would be very interested in that how would I get my CDL just to classes and a test
COLE BORGHI: If* you were labeled unemployed, career link would pay for it free of charge. Not sure if the newest admin is still supporting
But trust me you would not be disappointed
It’s worth it man.
Cooperating Source 2: definitely going to look into it I really appreciate this my man