Unfortunately examples like this is needed in order to dissuade politicians in the future from making questionable judgment calls. In a similar vein, bringing down Lance Armstrong hard is really the only way to show future cyclists that if you dare to do the deed, the consequences will be dire. Guys like Contador and Schleck who looked unstoppable a couple of years ago have suddenly looked ordinary. Same goes for ARod, they are gonna hit him hard, make an example out of him. Future ballplayers will think twice.
Questions has to be asked, did Weiner take the opportunity to funnel funds to other illicit activities that he was involved in?