Former House Democratic leader Bill DeWeese (D-Greene) told PLS in an interview Thursday night that he will seek re-election this year because, among other reasons, he didn’t want to suffer the same fate as former state Rep. Sean Ramaley.

Like the former Beaver County lawmaker, DeWeese faces charges connected to the attorney general’s public corruption investigation, known as “Bonusgate.” Although Ramaley was acquitted of all charges late last year, the indictments forced him to abandon his run for Senate and lose his seat in the House.

“Sean Ramaley was one of the most wholesome, idealistic and talented young politicians that I ever served with,” Rep. DeWeese said. “And it is an absolute tragedy what happened to him.”

Rep. DeWeese said he thinks he will similarly be found innocent, and until then, is innocent until proven guilty.