The charges are new, and while those accused in the state legislative bonus scandal deserve the legal presumption of innocence, what seems to have been at the root of the alleged misconduct is as old as humanity, itself.

The Greeks called it hubris. It also could be termed arrogance -- the sort that arises when the powerful become convinced that the rules for the rest of us don't apply to them.

But ultimately, those rules do apply to the powerful, too, as Mike Veon, Sean Ramaley and 10 aides found out last week when state Attorney General Tom Corbett announced criminal charges against them related to secret bonuses paid to legislative staffers for campaign work done on state time.

And while those charges focused on Democrats, Corbett made it clear that his investigation continues and is examining all four legislative caucuses -- Democrats and Republicans in both the House and Senate.

So it's a good bet that a lot of political types in Harrisburg remain nervous about what still is to emerge from Corbett's probe.

Veon, former House minority whip, faces 59 counts of theft, criminal conspiracy and conflict of interest.

We've known Veon was out of touch with political reality since he cast the only vote against repealing the outrageous legislative pay raise in November 2005 -- an arrogant action that angered voters, who refused to re-elect him. But the charges against him suggest his arrogance grew much greater.

Ramaley, an Economy resident who holds a House seat and is running for a Senate seat, allegedly benefited from Veon's illicit campaign operation through a "no-work" job he held in Veon's office while he ran for his House seat in 2004.

He faces six counts of theft, criminal conspiracy and conflict of interest.

Because of their status as former and current elected officials, Veon and Ramaley have more to answer to the public for than do the 10 aides also facing charges.

So we think it's important that Corbett cut no plea deals and seek the harshest possible punishment for them.

Only prosecution to the full extent of the law will set the sort of example that's needed to deter others among the powerful from abusing the public's trust and from believing that they somehow are above the law.