State officials were investigating Monday the use of a Department of Justice helicopter during a high school homecoming football game that was paid for by tax payer dollars.

It appeared Monday that the agents involved did not get clearance to do it.

The incident during the Oakridge High school homecoming football game in El Dorado Hills last year featured a DOJ special agent dropping a football from the helicopter to the his son, a senior on the Oakridge team.

Larry Wallace, Director of Law Enforcement for the Department of Justice, said the agency was not alerted about plans for the surprise football drop.

"I can confirm that is a DOJ chopper, yes," said Wallace as KTVU showed him YouTube footage of the incident.

Wallace said the stunt cost taxpayers between $900 and $1,300, not including personnel.

"First of all, there needs to be a thorough investigation," admitted Wallace.

Jon Coupal of the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association told KTVU he believes taxpayers got ripped off after watching the video.

"This is one of those things when California is crying it has no money and now Californians are paying highest income sales tax in America, to see this abuse of taxpayer funds is outrageous," said Coupal.

The DOJ said the helicopter flown in the incident is normally used for drug raids and that a long-standing special agent in the drug unit was on board, but it did not give his name.

Wallace said the DOJ is in the process of making big changes because of the game day drop.

"It appeared to be a misuse of state property," said Wallace. "I'm going to personally approve any authorized use of that helicopter as we move forward, and that's been put into place."

The Department of Justice won't reveal disciplinary action, citing privacy concerns. But KTVU has learned that at least one person involved was put on leave for a substantial period of time.