Two managers in Gov. Gary Locke’s budget office have been fired after a probe of racial tensions and other problems.

Dewey Harris, assistant director for the office of financial management’s accounting and administrative services division, and Rose Schaller, manager of small-agency accounting, were ousted Monday in what were described as organizational changes.

OFM, which is the target of three lawsuits, didn’t cite any specifics regarding Harris’ and Schaller’s behavior.

However, a two-month inquiry by an outside investigator uncovered many complaints of perceived racial discrimination, negative attitudes toward women and gays, and alleged favoritism.

“I felt we needed to make a change,” said OFM Director Dick Thompson, who was appointed to the post in January by Locke. “I did not have the confidence we could be effective with existing leadership.”

Harris, who is black, said he’s being made a scapegoat and will pursue his $1.5 million discrimination lawsuit filed earlier this year. His lawsuit is one of three pending against the agency.

Under state civil service rules, Schaller and Harris have been offered jobs in other agencies.