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The N.C. State Ethics Commission has launched an investigation into two lobbyists who had romantic relationships with top aides to House Speaker Thom Tillis, according to confidential documents obtained by The News & Observer.

The probe will examine whether lobbyists Jessica Hayes and Dean Plunkett violated the state's ban on gifts and failing to report expenses related to their relationships with legislative employees, according to letters the commission sent to the lobbyists in late May.

The commission is also investigating the N.C. Home Builders Association, which Hayes represented, and will contact Plunkett's numerous clients, which include the Association for Home and Hospice Care of North Carolina and the Coastal Conservation Association, the documents indicate.

The state legislative Democratic caucus today sent letters to the N.C. Ethics Commission and the Legislative Ethics Committee asking for a review of the scandal in House Speaker Thom Tillis’ office.

Tillis in the past week accepted resignations from his chief of staff and from a policy adviser after they admitted having had affairs with lobbyists.

The letters ask for a review of former chief of staff Charles Thomas’ romantic relationship with Jessica Hayes, who was a lobbyist for the N.C. Home Builders Association until she was forced to resign last week.

The fallout from romantic relationships between lobbyists and top staffers in House Speaker Thom Tillis' office continues.

The Coastal Conservation Association cut ties with contract lobbyist Dean Plunkett a day after Tillis disclosed a relationship with one of his staffers, Amy Hobbs, who is expected to resign this week.

House Speaker Thom Tillis said he heard rumors about an affair his former chief of staff had with a state lobbyist but Charles Thomas denied the relationship. Tillis, who bunks with Thomas in Raleigh, answered questions about the after Thomas' resignation last week for an affair with a homebuilders association lobbyist. Tillis also acknowledged a second staffer, Amy Hobbs, had a romantic relationship with a different lobbyist, Dean Plunkett, and would resign. Read the full story here.

Lots more political news:

-- A Charlotte area man is being questioned for firing a shotgun at an anti-amendment sign, which he recorded in a YouTube video that received widespread attention a week before the May 8 primary on the marriage referendum.

--Jurors at the John Edwards trial saw video on Tuesday afternoon of the house outside Chapel Hill where Edwards’ pregnant mistress, Rielle Hunter, lived for several months while hiding from National Enquirer reporters. Cheri Young, the wife of Edwards’ political aide Andrew Young, made the video in September 2008 while going through the two-story house in the Governors Club, a gated community near Chapel Hill. Day 7 Trial coverage here.

Dean Plunkett, former executive director of the N.C. Beer and Wine Wholesalers Association, has formed his own lobbying firm.

Plunkett represented the interests of beer and wine distributors for nearly a decade and was ranked the 30th most influential lobbyist by the N.C. Center for Public Policy Research. He has started his own lobbying business called Plunkett Strategies, LLC.

Before his time at the trade association, he did research and communications for NCFREE, now known as the N.C. Free Enterprise Foundation.