Former NSW Labor minister Joe Tripodi will return to the state's corruption watchdog to give further evidence about whether he knew of Eddie Obeid's lucrative hidden businesses.
The Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) has widened its investigation into Obeid's alleged lobbying of various ports ministers who controlled leases in which his family had secret interests.
ICAC assistant commissioner Anthony Whealy broadened Operation Cyrus after Mr Tripodi's former chief-of-staff said her boss was aware of the crooked powerbroker's involvement in two restaurants and a cafe at Circular Quay.
During his first round in the witness stand, Mr Tripodi repeatedly denied he was aware of Obeid's secret interests.
But his former chief-of-staff, Lynne Ashpole, said he spoke in 2006 about the Obeids' stake in the properties, which earned the family about $2.5 million a year.
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Six days after the ICAC announced it would investigate Mr Tripodi, the former treasurer and ports minister suspended his Labor party membership.
"Mr Tripodi wrote to the NSW branch of the Australian Labor Party stating that whilst maintaining his innocence, he wished to have his party membership suspended while the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) investigates him as a public official," NSW Labor said in a November 7 statement.
Mr Tripodi is due to return before ICAC on Wednesday morning.
The ICAC inquiry is expected to run until Friday, when Obeid is due to give evidence.
