The news that federal prosecutors intend to seize the substantial real estate holdings of former Pennsylvania state Sen. Vincent Fumo is the right follow-up to his conviction Monday on corruption charges. According to an Associated Press report Wednesday, a forfeiture hearing is scheduled for today.

Fumo's conviction on all 137 counts of conspiracy, fraud, tax offenses and obstruction of justice makes it imperative for the government to go after all of the estimated $4 million that prosecutors say Fumo skimmed and stole from his victims. Those victims were the Senate, Philadelphia's Independence Seaport Museum and the Citizens' Alliance for Better Neighborhoods, a South Philadelphia nonprofit organization whose executive director was Ruth Arnao, Fumo's co-defendant in the ex-senator's 22-week trial.

Arnao was found guilty on all 45 counts she faced.

The disgraced former senator faces the possibility of more than 10 years in prison; Arnao faces a sentence of less than 10 years. No sentencing date was announced.

The downfall of Fumo, who had twice beaten criminal charges prior to Monday's verdict, sends a stern message to Pennsylvania government, which still is being stained in the probe over illegal bonuses paid to staffers for political campaign work done for some lawmakers. The ongoing grand jury investigation has resulted in 12 arrests to date, and there reportedly is the possibility of additional people being charged.

But the conviction of Fumo, who had been called "in-Vinceable" and who had led a life that some of his friends called "Fumoworld," is the wake-up call that has been long overdue in this state's government.

It is imperative for that wake-up call to bring about a change of attitude by those who serve in the Pennsylvania General Assembly, both in terms of how they conduct business and about how they spend other people's — the taxpayers' — money.

Fumo's conviction must deliver the message that those elected to public service in state government were chosen to look after commonwealth residents' best interests, not for the purpose of enriching themselves.

And, that is a message that should extend to all other levels of government.

Somewhere, at some time, Fumo unfortunately deviated from the worthy mission with which he was entrusted, and now he is facing the appropriate actions aimed at undoing wrongs for which he was — and remains — responsible.

In addition to the effort aimed at seizing his substantial real estate holdings — a 27-room Philadelphia mansion, a 100-acre farm outside Harrisburg, properties at the New Jersey shore and a home in Florida — Fumo likely will lose his $101,000 yearly state pension and his law license.

Facing more than a decade behind bars, the 65-year-old Fumo can live without all of those.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert A. Zauzmer said the guilty-on-all-counts verdict against Fumo should send "a very powerful and resounding message to public officials" to steer clear of corruption.

Hopefully the ongoing bonus scandal investigation will similarly serve as an incentive and warning for lawmakers to do what their legislative service requires — and just that.

Residents of this commonwealth should be able to look to their state government with a feeling of pride, not gripped by embarrassment and a sense of wonderment about what went wrong, when and why.

But judging from what has been happening in the bonus investigation, it appears more embarrassment is on the way.

For now, these days after the Fumo conviction have been an opportunity for friends and foes alike to express their opinions about him and his downfall. One former top aide admitted to being "devastated" by his conviction. Meanwhile, opponents were in no way sympathetic.

In his closing, Zauzmer characterized Fumo as a schemer; during the trial, Fumo was characterized by Zauzmer and Assistant U.S. Attorney John J. Pease as a "glutton" who turned Senate aides and consultants into political operatives and serv-ants.

Monday was a sad day for Pennsylvania residents in having it confirmed how far a once well-respected leader had gone off track. But it also was a happy day in learning that, in the end, this corrupt politician would not "get away with it."

At sentence time, the presiding judge should show Fumo no mercy. It's clear that Fumo showed no mercy toward the people who depended upon him for honest, dependable service.