Chalk up one more reason to distrust your government.

On Monday, former state Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver was convicted on charges that he traded favors to earn $5 million illegally and then lied about it. Silver, as many Western New Yorkers despised, rose to become the most powerful Albany politician for two decades.

He was one of those “Three men in a room” who decided on the state budget, usually leaving this region with the leftovers.

“This was bribery. This was extortion. This was corruption,” said Assistant U.S. Attorney Andrew Goldstein, who handled prosecution.

Unfortunately, he is one of many. Some 30 state lawmakers have left office since 2000 due to illegal activity. Even locally, criminals can hold seats in local government.

All it takes is a majority of voters.