With nearly 20 charges of theft and conflict of interest refiled against former state Rep. Mike Veon, taxpayers and voters should look forward to the opportunity to follow the money, in this case about $10 million in state grants awarded to Beaver Initiative for Growth (BIG), a nonprofit group created by Veon.

There have been suspicions and allegations that Veon misused much of the $10 million in state grants to further his political career, reward campaign contributors and help other Democrats in his district and elsewhere.

As Pennsylvania taxpayers learned in the recent federal corruption trial of former state Sen. Vincent Fumo, details of how state taxpayers' money has been spent can paint a pretty clear picture of whether the intended beneficiary is constituents or the elected official and his or her political cronies.

In Fumo's case, the jury was convinced that the former Philadelphia Democrat misused state funds, the power of his office as well as funds and other assets of a nonprofit group run by one of his former aides.

When prosecutors followed the money, they found that Fumo had used taxpayers' money, directly and indirectly, to manage a farm he bought near Harrisburg and to renovate his Philadelphia mansion. He also directed state employees to drive his luggage to Martha's Vineyard so it would be there for him when he arrived, after sailing there on a yacht provided at no charge by a separate nonprofit with which he was associated.

The money trail in the Fumo case pointed to misuse of funds for mostly personal, financial gain. Fumo was well known for his keen interest in spending OPM (other people's money) whenever possible.

Based on what already is known, the money trail at BIG will not likely paint a picture quite like Fumo's. But a thorough accounting of how the $10 million in state funds was spent will reveal how much was spent to benefit the citizens of Beaver County, and how much was spent to benefit Veon, a small group of fellow politicians, Veon staffers as well as paid consultants, who also happened to be campaign contributors.

Taxpayers and voters alike should welcome the refiling of the 19 charges against Veon by state Attorney General Tom Corbett.

Last week, a Harrisburg district judge dismissed the original 28 charges of theft and conflict of interest against Veon, a one-time top Democratic leader in the House, and his former top aide. State prosecutors were stunned by the district judge's actions and argued that the district judge had applied the wrong legal standard in his ruling.

In addition to refiling charges against Veon this week, Corbett's office also filed a request that the preliminary hearing for Veon and his former aide be held before a common pleas court judge.

Veon's control of BIG, which was shut down once criminal investigations began, had drawn scrutiny for several years. Yet a full accounting of how the millions of state taxpayer dollars were spent never has been presented to the public.

Veon's attorneys stated that Corbett is wasting taxpayer money by filing charges against the former state lawmaker again. But a real waste — and abuse — of taxpayer money could be revealed if evidence is presented as to how BIG operated and how much state taxpayer money was spent benefiting constituents versus how much taxpayer money was spent benefiting Veon, his friends, other Democrats or campaign contributors.

As has been the case so often before, once investigators follow the money, a clear picture emerges. Veon and those who operated his pet nonprofit agency should be required to explain how the $10 million was spent and who benefited.

Corbett is right to stick with the case and refile charges against Veon.