City officials confirmed that a Bethlehem employee who served as the city's right-to-know officer was arrested in an investigation led by the Lehigh County District Attorney's Office and that the employee is no longer employed by the city. Solicitor John F. Burke Jr. told the council the probe is a "three-year multistate investigation grand jury task force" and that many court materials are sealed, limiting what the prosecutor can disclose.

Why it matters: the arrest involved a city employee who had access to certain internal records as part of the right-to-know role. City leaders said they cooperated with prosecutors and emphasized that "there is no ongoing investigation of the city of Bethlehem or its officers, officials, employees, city council members," a statement the solicitor said he was authorized to make.

What the DA and city said: Solicitor Burke said the district attorney had provided limited information to protect the integrity of the investigation and that court documents were sealed under grand jury secrecy. "We support that," Burke said of the DA's limited public disclosure, and he added representatives of the DA singled out Bethlehem Police for their cooperation. Chief Cott confirmed the police department fully cooperated with the DA's office.

Council reaction and personnel issues: Council members sought basic facts about timing and disclosure. Several members said they would have preferred earlier notification; the administration responded that advice from labor counsel and the sealed nature of the grand jury materials limited what it could share. Human resources issued a statement that the employee "is no longer employed by the City of Bethlehem." Council members asked whether internal policies on confidentiality, personnel disclosure and notification to elected officials require revision.

Next steps and limits: Officials said they will not speculate about ongoing criminal matters and will follow labor counsel and prosecutor guidance. Council members asked the administration and city solicitor to look into whether the city should revisit policies on internal notification and on how personnel matters are communicated to elected officials and employees.

Ending: With the arrest and sealed grand jury process under way, city officials said they will cooperate with prosecutors and follow labor counsel guidance; council members said they will pursue policy reviews on internal communications and oversight once legal restrictions ease.