FRANKFORT — Gov. Steve Beshear's administration is making changes in leadership of the state Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control.

It has decided to move current commissioner Tony Dehner to the department position of distilled spirits administrator.

Dehner will replace Danny Reed, who is not being reappointed.

Dick Brown, a spokesman for the Public Protection Cabinet that oversees the department that handles licensing of alcoholic beverages, confirmed the changes Friday.

He noted that Dehner's and Reed's four-year terms were up at the end of this year. However, they could have been reappointed.

Brown said reasons for changes in non-merit positions are not given. Non-merit employees are politically appointed and serve at the pleasure of the governor.

He also said the administration will be seeking a new alcoholic beverage commissioner.

Kerri Richardson, a spokeswoman for Beshear, confirmed the changes and said, in response to rumors that the state ABC is being investigated, "We are unaware of any federal or state investigations related to that office."

A spokeswoman for the FBI in Louisville said it could not confirm or deny any investigation.