Sheldon Silver held one of the three most powerful positions in New York state politics just months ago. The former Assembly speaker’s fall from his post among Albany’s “three men in a room” hit a new low Monday with his conviction in a $5 million corruption case.

The ousted Manhattan lawmaker’s forthcoming time behind bars should serve as a warning in the Empire State’s corruption capital. Those who break the law will pay the price. State officials – even the governor, Assembly speaker and Senate majority leader – can’t abuse their power if they wish to stay out of prison.

Of the “three men in a room” at the start of the year, only Gov. Andrew Cuomo remains out of court and in his position of power. Silver, convicted of honest-services fraud, extortion and money laundering, plans to appeal. Meanwhile, Dean Skelos, the Senate’s former top man, faces extortion and bribery charges for allegedly using his clout to funnel $300,000 to his son.

While Cuomo has two new friends for closed-door negotiations on the state’s most pressing matters, removing Silver from elected office and Skelos from his spot as majority leader only scratches the surface of Albany’s problems.

In the past 15 years, three dozen legislators have stepped down on criminal charges or ethical misconduct allegations, according to the Associated Press. Unfortunately, calls for meaningful reforms and a special ethics session quickly died.

Silver got what he deserved this week and Skelos may soon find himself alone in a cell instead of making backroom deals in Albany. Without actual ethics reforms, however, Albany’s “caldron of corruption” – coined by U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara – will continue to fester.

Carl Heastie, Silver’s successor, and Cuomo stressed the need for reforms following Silver’s conviction. “Words simply aren’t enough,” Heastie said, according to the AP. “We will continue to work to root out corruption and demand more of elected officials when it comes to ethical conduct.”

You’re right, Mr. Speaker. Words just don’t cut it this time. The new three men in a room should take their calls for reform and jumpstart Albany ethics changes instead of leaving Bharara to pick off the criminals one at a time.

The old regime turned the capital into its present cesspool. The new one must clean up the mess. They should start by leaving the door open.