ALLENTOWN, Pa. – The pressure is building for County Commissioner Zach Cole-Borghi to step down after a second wave of drug charges.

“In September, I called on Commissioner Cole-Borghi to resign, and I stand by that request today,” said County Commissioner Antonio Pineda.

In August, Cole-Borghi, was arrested at Bethlehem city hall, where he was the Right to Know officer and charged with possession of marijuana with intent to deliver as part of an alleged multi state drug ring.

March 25th, Cole-Borghi was charged with more than 100 new counts, this time also including cocaine and psychedelic mushrooms.

The DA releasing texts from some of the transactions.

Like this one on December 25 2023:

Cole-Borghi: “Any of that shake around?”
Cooperating Source: “Yea it is, why wassup?”
Cole-Borghi:”Think I’m gonna need to grab a qp.”

Or on April 23, 2025, while he was in a commission meeting:

Cole-Borghi: “Hey buddy can I come see you after my meeting I just need 1.”
Cooperating Source: “Yea.”
Cole-Borghi: “I’m at my commissioner meeting now. Could be done anytime between 8 and 930. I’ll hit you up and let you know when I’m coming.”

His fellow commissioners commenting on the new charges during the latest meeting.

Lehigh County commissioners react to drug charges against colleague Zachary Cole-Borghi

“I have referred the matter to the Lehigh County’s Department of Law for guidance to the board. There is no mechanism for the Board of Commissioners to remove a commissioner on the sole basis of criminal charges,” Commissioner Geoff Brace said.

“Zach’s record on this board speaks for itself. I hope to have a chance to welcome him back to this dais, and I hope the family who has sacrificed so much as all of our families have finds peace and safety and support in this moment,” Commissioner Jon Irons said.

“I believe that Commissioner Cole-Borghi can no longer effectively perform his duties. This is not exclusively because of additional charges, but rather because in recent weeks, he’s used this dais to mount a public defense,” Commissioner Ron Beitler said.

69 News reached out to Cole-Borghi’s attorney Gary Asteak for comment. Asteak says he is looking over the materials related to the latest charges and has no comment.

Cole-Borghi is being held on $500,000 straight bail.

His preliminary hearing is March 31st.