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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.

UPDATED: The disgraced former chief of staff to House Speaker Thom Tillis is launching a government relations firm that promises "access to the best lobbyists in the industry."

Charles Thomas, a former Republican state lawmaker, resigned in April after being questioned by The News & Observer about a romantic relationship with a lobbyists for the N.C. Homebuilders Association. 

Thomas called his new Asheville-based company, Third Reading, offering his services in government consulting, marketing, issue advocacy and campaign finance. He touts expertise on a variety of issues. "We assist our clients with advice in navigating the often cumbersome framework of government in a professional and business oriented manner.  We maintain a strong network of issue oriented campaign managers to assist our clients and have access to the best lobbyists in the industry," the website states.

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.

Jessica B. Hayes, the lobbyist for the North Carolina Home Builders Association who was in an intimate relationship with the chief of staff for the speaker of the state House, has resigned her position.

“I asked for and she voluntarily submitted her resignation,” Mike Carpenter, the association’s executive vice president and general counsel, said Friday.

Charles Thomas, chief of staff for House Speaker Thom Tillis, resigned a day earlier after being questioned about the relationship by The News & Observer.