Former NSW mining minister Ian Macdonald didn't object when he was described in a public inquiry as Eddie Obeid's "left testicle", but when he was labelled corrupt, he finally found some voice.
Mr Macdonald has vowed to fight findings made by the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) on Wednesday that he acted corruptly, following the biggest corruption inquiry in NSW's history.
"This has been incredibly distressing to myself and my family, I am not guilty of any wrongdoing and I believe that in the end the truth will out and I will be exonerated," he told Network Ten.
Commissioner David Ipp was scathing of Mr Macdonald's conduct, describing him an "unsatisfactory witness" who gave "deliberately untrue evidence".
"In other instances, the commission came to a view that Mr Macdonald was ... attempting to concoct an innocent explanation to explain away damning facts," Mr Ipp wrote.
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Mr Macdonald objected.
"(That's) totally false, and a very jaundiced view of my evidence," he said.
Mr Ipp has recommended the DPP consider prosecuting Mr Macdonald after it found he rigged a 2008 tender process to grant a coal licence over land at Mount Penny owned by the Labor party powerbroker Mr Obeid and his family, earning them tens of millions of dollars.
Mr Ipp has also recommended the DPP consider charging Mr Macdonald with conspiracy to defraud and misconduct in public office.
The man nicknamed `Sir Lunchalot' was also found to have used his ministerial influence to benefit businessman Ron Medich, and been rewarded with the services of a prostitute called Tiffanie.
He's been recommended for possible prosecution for the offence of corruptly receiving a benefit as a reward for favours.
The veteran of NSW Parliament - who has already been expelled from the Labor party - described being labelled corrupt as "hideous".
But ICAC may have more adverse findings in store for Mr Macdonald.
Mr Ipp is due next month to deliver a final report into Operation Acacia, which investigated Mr Macdonald's decision to grant an exploration licence to a small group of investors including former union boss John Maitland.
