The ethical bar for legislators in Pennsylvania is already appallingly low. But state Rep. Leslie Acosta, a Democrat from Philadelphia, has managed to drag it even deeper into the muck with her criminal conduct and the subsequent cover-up of her case.

It’s one thing to scam the taxpayers you’ve been elected to represent. Acosta has already admitted to doing just that: She pled guilty to participating in an embezzlement scheme that siphoned hundreds of thousands of dollars from a publicly-funded mental health clinic where she was formerly employed.

Pennsylvania voters, who have seen at least 10 current or former state lawmakers charged in criminal cases since 2014, might even be inured to such abuse by now.

It’s something entirely different to scam your way into re-election — which is what Acosta is essentially doing right now. No, she’s not buying votes or rigging election machines. What she’s done — with the help of the courts — is deny voters a piece of vital information regarding her candidacy.

Oh yes, Acosta — a felon who will soon be barred from office — is running (unopposed!) for reelection.

Acosta quietly pleaded guilty six months ago to the federal charge of money laundering, making her a felon and ineligible to serve in the Pennsylvania General Assembly.

Of course there’s a catch — it’s Pennsylvania after all — and Acosta doesn’t have to technically step down from office until she is sentenced.

That, for some inexplicable reason, won’t happen until January. And Acosta has said she intends to fight in court the rule that would require her to step down. But a 10-month gap between guilty plea and sentencing is far from the most disturbing part of this scandal.

Let’s take a look at the timeline:

- In November 2015, federal prosecutors secretly charge Acosta with aiding an embezzlement scheme involving her former boss at the Juniata Community Mental Health Clinic.

- Two months later, Acosta, who took office in 2015, announces her re-election campaign. She fails to tell anyone — voters or Democratic Party leaders — that she’s been charged with a felony in a federal case.

- In March, Acosta pleads guilty to the federal charge of conspiracy to commit money laundering. The case against her is quietly unsealed on the day she enters a guilty plea. But federal prosecutors don’t — and will not — announce the conviction, which is also filed — and remains — under seal at the request of Acosta’s attorney.

- On Sept. 16, the Philadelphia Inquirer publishes a report on Acosta’s case. It is the first time the public or party leaders learn about the case against her.

- On Monday, Acosta is a no-show as the state House reconvenes, and asks to be placed on leave for the week. Records show that votes are cast on her behalf despite her absence.

- On Wednesday, U.S. District Judge Joel Slomsky — who originally sealed the documents in Acosta’s case — unseals a court record confirming her guilty plea in March. Full details of the case as well as Acosta’s guilty plea remain sealed.

What a ridiculously unacceptable situation. The public is entitled to information about the criminal conduct of elected officials. They’ve been scammed out of that information until now — in an election year, no less.

The court not only helped shield Acosta’s case from public scrutiny until the eleventh hour, it kept her legal troubles under wraps through a crucial part of the election calendar: the time when potential challengers are weighing their options and filing nomination papers.

It’s hard to see all of this as anything but a big scam being run on voters — a scam which should be stopped immediately.