The evidence against former Attorney General Eric Schneiderman was overwhelming. It was for him too. In less than three hours after four women gave their accounts to New Yorker Magazine of alleged abuse, he was gone. Along with his career.

The article detailed moments when their bodies were so badly damaged they needed medical attention. Compounding that hurt was the subsequent mental torment that came after many told them to stay silent. Some of them included women.

Along with the bruised women allegedly at the hands of Schneiderman is a bruised confidence in our elected officials. Just who are they when the cameras are not watching? Schneiderman’s case shows the Jungian way people live their lives. They can say something in public life that runs counter to their private life.

For politicians, even those in law enforcement roles, the price to living duplicitously is hard. You can be on top of the world one hour, then at its pits three hours later, as was the case of Schneiderman. We expect public officials to be the people they are in their public life—honorable and with integrity.

What Schneiderman was alleged to have done is indefensible. And we’re glad an independent press was there to chronicle it all.

The story, masterfully reported in the interest of avoiding witch hunt journalism, should put elected officials on notice that the press is constantly watching, keeping tabs on them. We’re carrying out the duly sworn decree in our US Constitution to keep politicians honest.

The story includes a culture of protection towards Schneiderman, framing the argument that he’s too valuable for the Democratic party. It’s sad to see that. Is political gamesmanship worth the loss of justice? If that’s the case, the enablers protecting unsavory elected officials are no better than the politicians carrying out these disturbing acts.