The Wyoming Division of Criminal Investigation revealed Monday it is investigating allegations that Natrona County's chief deputy coroner misappropriated property and illegally used drugs.

Authorities say they've seized prescription medications, guns, paperwork and several years worth of coroner's files as part of an eight-month investigation of Gary Hazen, whose work with the county dates back more than 20 years.

As part of the investigation, agents searched several buildings Friday including the coroner's office, the county morgue, a coroner's vehicle and a home on the 3300 block of South McKinley Street in Casper, according to a press release by DCI Special Agent Tim Hill.

The DCI statement did not specify what kind of drugs Hazen is alleged to have used, nor did it offer details on the property Hazen is suspected of misappropriating.

Reach by cell phone Monday afternoon, Hazen declined to comment. His attorney, Dallas Laird, also declined to speak about the case at this point.

Hazen, who is a former police officer, had not been arrested as of Monday afternoon.

Hazen has been put on paid leave from his job with the coroner's office, according to County Attorney Eric Nelson.

"Given the allegations … did involve his official duties in the coroner's office, we felt it was best to place him on administrative leave pending the conclusion of the investigation by DCI," he said.

Nelson said he first learned of the investigation Friday morning when agents arrived at the county offices.

"Certainly the county is going to continue to cooperate in any manner requested by DCI during the investigation," he said.

Since the allegations arose, Nelson met with Coroner James Thorpen and said Hazen's absence will be covered by internal shuffling of staff members.

"There will not be a disruption of services provided by the coroner's office," he said.

He added that the coroner is an elected official, and as such, doesn't report directly to the Natrona County Commission.

Hill, through another officer, said he would not release additional information on the matter at this time. The investigation is ongoing, his statement said.

The county itself wasn't involved in the investigation, according to County Commissioner Barb Peryam.

Reach crime reporter Joshua Wolfson at (307) 266-0582 or at josh.wolfson@trib.com.