RALEIGH -- Another week another resignation in North Carolina politics.

Late Thursday night, Charles Thomas, chief of staff for House Speaker Thom Tillis resigned his position after admitting to having an inappropriate relationship with a lobbyist.

In a statement speaker Tillis said of the resignation, "An individual's personal life should remain personal, but to avoid professional distractions from the tasks in front of u, I have accepted his resignation. Charles is a friend who has spent many years in service to his state and his country and I wish him well in the future."

Jessica Hayes, a registered lobbyist for the North Carolina Home Builders Association, is believed to be the woman Thomas was involved with.

She has resigned her position as well and the relationship between the two could have implications with the state ethics committee.

"If the lobbyist were paying for things for the legislative staff person and not reporting them. People have faced fines for not making full disclosure," said Jane Pinsky with North Carolina Coalition for Lobbying and Government Reform.

Thomas denies doing anything illegal or violating state ethics standards as his resignation becomes the latest incident for state lawmakers to deal with in an election year.

"The legislature is well aware that they need to keep making certain that what they're doing makes it clear to the public that they are operating in the public's best interest," said Pinsky.

Chris Hayes will now serve as acting chief of staff for the house speaker.

As for Jessica Hayes, the Executive Vice President of the North Carolina Homebuilders Association said he doesn't believe any ethical violations occurred.