Democrats want NC ethics probes after resignations

RALEIGH -- North Carolina House Democrats have asked two ethics panels to examine whether laws were broken regarding relationships between legislative employees and lobbyists that have led two aides of Republican House Speaker Thom Tillis to resign.

House Minority Leader Joe Hackney and other Democratic caucus leaders wrote Thursday to the Legislative Ethics Committee and the State Ethics Commission asking for investigations. They say disclosures of inappropriate relationships between Tillis' staff and the lobbyists raise questions about conflicts of interest and undue influence on the legislative process.

Chief of staff Charles Thomas and policy adviser Amy Hobbs were forced out of their jobs in the past week by disclosures of the relationships with separate lobbyists.

Video obtained by ABC11 showed Thomas dining with a lobbyist for the North Carolina Home Builders Association, Jessica Hayes.

Tillis has released public records this week that don't immediately reveal undue influence by the lobbyists.

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