Councilmember questions investigation of former city employee’s access to databases

BETHLEHEM, Pa. – During Tuesday’s Bethlehem City Council meeting, Councilmember Bryan Callahan questioned city administrators over why the city did not independently investigate former city employee Zachary Cole-Borghi’s access to city databases to determine whether it was related to legitimate work, right-to-know requests or other activity.

Callahan said his request was separate from the criminal investigation involving Cole-Borghi, in which the former right-to-know officer is charged with more than 100 felony counts related to the alleged distribution of cocaine and marijuana, according to prosecutors.

Callahan said he first raised concerns months ago and was told the district attorney's investigation would address the matter.

"My question is why we didn't start looking into it until I had asked," Callahan said.

Cole-Borghi was first identified as a suspect in August of last year when investigators busted a multistate drug ring, charging 41 people.

"I'm not asking you to look into the investigation of drug dealing in City Hall," Callahan said.

Police Chief Michelle Kott said the Bethlehem Police Department had been cooperating with the Lehigh County District Attorney's Office during its investigation of Cole-Borghi. Because the investigation involved a grand jury, she said, police command staff had limited information about its details.

"We have been very, very vocal as to what's been going on in terms of the investigation," Kott said.

Kott said the department provided investigators from Lehigh and Northampton counties with information as requested.

She also said using an outside law enforcement agency in a matter involving a city employee helps avoid questions about conflicts of interest or impropriety.

"We have been as transparent as we can be in this," Kott said.

Callahan continued to question why the city had not initiated its own review of police-record access when he first raised the issue.

Callahan said he was not blaming Kott but believed the administration should have directed the police department to examine the city's own records.

City Solicitor John Spirk said he had repeatedly told Callahan that the criminal investigation was being handled by outside law enforcement and that the city did not want to interfere with that investigation.

Callahan said he remained concerned that the potential police-record access was not investigated until he raised the issue.

"All I'm asking for is accountability on the administration's part," Callahan said.

Councilmember Michael Colon cautioned against oversimplifying the situation, pointing to the distinction between the circumstances Callahan was describing and other internal investigations.

Callahan said his concern remained focused on the city's response and council's oversight role.

"Part of our job is to be the watchdog of the City of Bethlehem and the administration," he said.