The top two officials at the Kansas Juvenile Justice Authority have been fired.

The Wichita Eagle reported that Commissioner Curtis L. Whitten and Deputy Commissioner Dennis Casarona were fired Friday. Both men said the firing happened over the phone.

State Sen. Dick Kelsey said neither man was given justification or a chance to discuss concerns. The Goddard Republican is familiar with the justice authority and said the situation was mishandled.

Gov. Sam Brownback has appointed Terri Williams as acting commissioner. Williams is currently the deputy secretary of community and field services in the Kansas Department of Corrections.

Brownback spokeswoman Sherriene Jones-Sontag described the situation with Whitten and Casarona as a personnel issue. She said she couldn’t confirm the men were fired.