Lehigh County Commissioner Zach Cole-Borghi was arrested Wednesday morning after investigators accused him of selling cocaine across the region from 2023 through 2025, including from locations connected to his work in government.
Authorities said the case grew out of a large drug investigation that led to the arrest of 22 suspects last year after law enforcement uncovered what officials described as a widespread operation. Cole-Borghi was among those taken into custody as the investigation expanded.
Lehigh County District Attorney Gavin Holihan announced Wednesday that the commissioner now faces multiple criminal charges tied to alleged drug sales that investigators say occurred between November 2023 and August 2025. The case developed after police obtained and analyzed Cole-Borghi’s cellphone, where investigators said they found messages documenting drug transactions during that time period. Officials said the device contained communications dating from 2021 through the end of August 2025 that investigators reviewed during the probe.
According to authorities, those messages identified several places connected to the alleged activity. Investigators said transactions were arranged from Cole-Borghi’s residence on the 700 block of Spring Street in Bethlehem in Lehigh County and from a relative’s home on the 300 block of 6th Avenue in Bethlehem in Lehigh County. Messages also referenced Bethlehem City Hall, where he was employed, which is located in Northampton County. Police said another location connected to the investigation was an unspecified area in Upper Saucon Township in Lehigh County.
Authorities also said Cole-Borghi facilitated a cocaine transaction during a meeting of the Lehigh County Board of Commissioners. The meetings are held at the Lehigh County Government Center in Allentown.
Court documents cited by investigators describe a message sent to a cocaine buyer that listed prices and provided directions for completing a deal. The message read: “meet me at city [h]all when you are out. I’ll come out and get in your car and you will drive me to my house where I will grab your stuff for you.”
Investigators also allege that a cocaine sale occurred while Cole-Borghi attended a “Peace and Justice Symposium” at Northampton County Community College. The event was presented by the Lehigh Valley Justice Institute.
Prosecutors filed 89 counts of criminal use of a communication facility related to the alleged use of a cellphone to arrange drug deals. Cole-Borghi also faces 14 counts of delivery of a controlled substance involving cocaine and one count of delivery of a controlled substance involving psilocybin mushrooms.
Authorities said he is being held on $500,000 bail while awaiting an arraignment hearing.
Members of the Lehigh County Board of Commissioners discussed the situation publicly on Wednesday night during a meeting of the governing body. Commissioner Antonio Pineda called for Cole-Borghi to resign, saying, “For the good of the county, to maintain public confidence, he should resign immediately.”
Commissioner Jon Irons expressed support for Cole-Borghi, saying, “Zach continues to have my utmost support and respect.”
County officials also said state law does not permit the removal of an elected official based solely on criminal charges. County Executive Josh Seigel addressed the legal limitation and said Cole-Borghi remains legally able to hold office while the case proceeds.
“Until he’s convicted, he has every legal right to hold that office.”