State Ethics Commission officials will hold a formal hearing that will explore whether Coweta County Sheriff Mike Yeager inappropriately used his department's assets during his reelection campaign.

An informal hearing on the matter was held Feb. 25 in the Douglas County Courthouse, Teddy Lee, a spokesman for the State Ethics Commission, confirmed. The hearing was held in response to claims made by Lynn Bradley, Scott Ruppert and Scott Smith, Lee indicated.

Smith, a contender for the sheriff's seat, lost to Yeager in the 2004 election. Smith reportedly worked for law enforcement and owned a bail bonding company, according to published reports.

Yeager trounced Smith during the hotly contested race. The sheriff incumbent won 12,039 votes, while Smith garnered 4,526 votes.

The citizens reportedly alleged Yeager committed multiple violations of Georgia Code 21-2-3. Specifically, the complainants allege Yeager used the sheriff department's assets for political campaign purposes during the 2004 election cycle.

Lee declined to verify the alleged infractions. However, he did say the case will continue.

"Informal charges have been brought against the sheriff's department by complaints filed by citizens, and the Board determined there was enough evidence to warrant a formal hearing," Lee said. "That date has not been scheduled yet."

Yeager was contacted about the matter. However, Yeager was out of the office and was unavailable for comment, his secretary said Tuesday.