Eric Roozendaal invited Nathan Tinkler and his Buildev lieutenants to V8 supercar races in 2010, and they wined and dined the then NSW treasurer at an upscale Sydney restaurant three months later.
But the co-founder of the development firm, David Sharpe, told the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) that Mr Roozendaal was just a "nice guy" - not a key player in Buildev's push to get a lucrative coal-loader over the line.
The ICAC heard Mr Roozendaal invited top Buildev executives to join him at the Sydney 500 races in late 2010 as Mr Sharpe was "speaking to Mr Roozendaal directly" about a rival to its coal-loader plan.
Just months later, Mr Sharpe was organising a lunch with Mr Roozendaal at Sake Restaurant in The Rocks.
In one email to colleagues he described a meeting with Mr Roozendaal as "one of the most important Buildev has had".
But he appeared to downplay the importance of the relationship during evidence on Tuesday.
"We thought Mr Roozendaal was a nice guy," Mr Sharpe told counsel assisting Geoffrey Watson SC.
He also denied Mr Roozendaal's one-time Labor cabinet colleague, corrupt ex-MP Joe Tripodi, had anything to gain by offering Buildev strategic advice and property tips.
In one email, the fallen powerbroker offered a heads-up about land in southwestern Sydney, including details about its zoning and proximity to a planned rail line, and the likelihood that NSW government developer Landcom would "come knocking to buy" it.
But Mr Sharpe said there was no payoff in store for Mr Tripodi, prompting an incredulous Mr Watson to ask: "What, (he offered this information) out of the goodness of his heart - Saint Joseph of Tripodi?"
The inquiry continues.
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