The state’s governor is calling for the resignations of four county officials, including the sheriff, after a newspaper released a recording in which the officials reportedly can be heard discussing the lynching of Black people and about killing two journalists.

“I am both appalled and disheartened to hear of the horrid comments made by officials in McCurtain County,” Gov. Kevin Stitt said in a statement. “There is simply no place for such hateful rhetoric in the state of Oklahoma, especially by those that serve to represent the community through their respective office.”

The McCurtain Gazette-News released the recording in which it says McCurtain County Sheriff Kevin Clardy, investigator Alicia Manning and District 2 Commissioner Mark Jennings can be heard talking after a March 6 meeting of the county Board of Commissioners, the Oklahoman reports.

ABC News reports one of the reporters discussed by the county officials, Chris Willingham, released the recording. ABC News reports recordings made in public are legal in Oklahoma and that the newspaper says it obtained them legally.

The paper’s publisher, Bruce Willingham, tells the AP he had left a voice-activated recorder in the meeting room because he suspected the officials were conducting county business afterward, which is a violation of the state’s Open Meeting Act.

In the recording, Manning and Jennings appear to discuss both Bruce and Chris Willingham. Jennings tells Clardy and Manning “I know where two deep holes are dug if you ever need them,” and the sheriff responds “I’ve got an excavator.”

Jennings also said he’s known “two or three hit men” in Louisiana, adding “they’re very quiet guys.”

In the recording, Jennings also appears to complain about not being able to hang Black people, saying: “They got more rights than we got.”

Stitt also is calling for the resignation of Jail Administrator Larry Hendrix. ABC News reports Hendrix was present during the conversation.

The Oklahoman reports that copies of the full recording have been given to both the FBI and the Oklahoma Attorney General’s Office. The AG’s office tells the Associated Press it is investigating the recording, but the FBI would not comment on the case.

The Associated Press contributed to this story.