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It’s bad enough when a dirty Democrat or weaselly Republican in Harrisburg schemes to use public resources for personal gain or otherwise flaunts the law, cheating the taxpayer.

Then comes the salt in the wound.

The taxpayer all too often pays for legal fees associated with that wrongdoing, for example covering the costs of defense lawyers for legislative staffers who get subpoenaed to describe actions they might, or might not, have witnessed.

Consider it corruption’s collateral damage. A review by The Associated Press of the Legislature’s legal fees since 2011 for such private defense work puts the tab at about $2.8 million. Among the criminal matters for which state residents were compelled to cough up money: the case involving former state Sen. Bob Mellow, of Peckville. The longtime Democratic power broker, who represented Lackawanna and portions of Luzerne County, was accused of orchestrating public employees to assist with campaigning. He ultimately pleaded guilty in 2012 to a charge of conspiracy to commit mail fraud.

State taxpayers don’t foot the bill for a public figure once he or she is charged with a crime. Even so, that common-sense stipulation probably doesn’t ease the sting of knowing state residents in recent years doled out money related to embarrassing breaches of the public trust including the “bonusgate” scandal and the much-publicized mess involving former state Sen. Jane Orie and her sisters.

The state Senate, meanwhile, does little to help boost confidence by resisting requests for information regarding its legal bills. According to The AP’s article this week, “Senate Democrats and Republicans would not disclose the names of all those getting attorneys, and documents they did provide were heavily redacted.”

This fall, Pennsylvania residents are hearing plenty out of Harrisburg about spending priorities, where their tax money should go and why. Republicans generally say we can’t afford to put more dollars toward public education. Democrats say we can’t afford not to.

In light of those discussions, consider what state residents truly cannot afford: elected officials devoid of ethics.