Public corruption is bad enough for the severe damage it does in eroding public trust in our government institutions, processes and officials. But add to that: the damage it does to the public purse.

That’s becoming increasingly evident in the convictions of Louis and Katherine Kealoha, the former Honolulu police chief and ex-deputy prosecutor, respectively. Even as it tries to claw back $250,000 severance from the ex-chief, the city may well be on the hook to pay his legal fees — plus possibly millions more in civil lawsuits due to the Kealohas’ corruption. And sadly, “the city” means Oahu taxpayers, which means you and me.