Flamboyant former Auburn Council deputy mayor Salim Mehajer has fronted a public inquiry into his council but his evidence was given behind closed doors.
The inquiry is investigating allegations that some councillors, including Mr Mehajer, were making planning and development decisions to benefit themselves or their families before the western Sydney council was sacked in February.
The former deputy mayor, along with former mayor Ronney Oueik and others, gave evidence at a private hearing on Thursday.
Mr Mehajer smiled at reporters but refused to comment outside the hearing as he entered the council chambers surrounded by legal representatives.
The inquiry has been examining the council's response to the closure of a street for Mr Mehajer's extravagant wedding at Lidcombe last August, and other decisions including the approvals surrounding the construction of a faulty unit block developed by Mr Oueik.
Mr Oueik told AAP outside the inquiry that he "always" served the people who elected him, but when asked about the private hearing he smiled and said he had talked about "the weather".
It's expected the councillors will face the inquiry again next week at a public hearing.
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