After his conviction on 14 counts of theft, conspiracy and conflict of interest, former state Rep. Mike Veon of Beaver County got what he deserved: prison time, six to 14 years behind bars.

The latest announcement — that in addition to the loss of his freedom, Veon has lost his $50,340 annual pension — is more good news for the commonwealth and its people.

Veon's plight delivers the forceful message to current and future lawmakers that, with winning election to the state's legislative body comes the obligation to serve the state and its residents, period. Being elected doesn't carry with it a ticket to sleazy, illegal legislative dealings, partisanship that stymies progress on the people's business, and being consumed by political party objectives, with everything else secondary.

Unfortunately, as made clear by the so-called Bonusgate corruption scandal in which Veon became entwined, much too often the people's best interests have become secondary in the conduct of business in the state capital.

Veon, once the No. 2 Democrat in the state House, did not lose all, despite the ruling that he now is not entitled to a pension. He started collecting his pension in early 2007, months after being defeated for re-election in 2006.

In fact, he received an initial $126,614 lump sum payment when he lost re-election. But in addition to his prison sentence, he was ordered to pay $100,000 in restitution and $37,000 in fines.

The Public Employee Pension Forfeiture Act requires lawmakers and other state workers to give up pensions if they are convicted of certain crimes and if those illegal activities fall into the category of job-related.

The former director of Veon's Beaver Falls district office, Annamarie Perretta-Rosepink, who was convicted of five crimes connected with Bonusgate, is losing her $19,140 pension too — as she should.

Veon's attorneys are asking Dauphin County Common Pleas Court to vacate their client's guilty verdict and dismiss the charges against him. As long as such legal maneuvers continue, some degree of uncertainty will hang over the former lawmaker's situation, although such challenges are routine and oftentimes quickly dismissed.

Regardless of what eventually transpires regarding Veon, the message to current and future lawmakers is clear — that if they don't want to jeopardize lucrative benefits they have earned by virtue of their legislative service, they must not engage in criminal conduct.

Veon's plight — fallout from him having been corrupted by power — has cast a somber note on those still awaiting their day in court over Bonusgate-related charges. But no one should feel sorry for them.