The ex-boyfriend of former NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian will fight a charge of lying to the state’s corruption watchdog over his business dealings.

Former Wagga Wagga MP Daryl Maguire on Monday pleaded not guilty at  Downing Centre Local Court to one charge of giving false or misleading evidence at a public inquiry.

The charge revolved around his communications with former Canterbury councillor Michael Hawatt about the sale of a property in Sydney’s southwest.

Maguire denied to the Independent Commission Against Corruption that he had sought or would receive any financial benefit for his role in brokering a deal linked to the property.

But he was caught on phone taps asking for payment if he secured millions in investment from a Chinese developer.

ICAC later recommended Maguire face criminal charges over his evidence.

His July 2018 testimony was given during Operation Dasha, which investigated whether former councillors dishonestly exercised their official functions over planning proposals and applications.

The watchdog made findings of serious corrupt conduct against several former councillors, including Mr Hawatt, and recommended the Director of Public Prosecutions be consulted regarding charges against six people.

Maguire resigned from NSW parliament in 2018 after the separate Operation Keppel ICAC investigation began into his improper use of his role as an MP to benefit a company in which he had a financial interest.

That inquiry later exposed his secret “close personal relationship” with Ms Berejiklian, which led to the then-premier resigning from her role.

In June, ICAC found Maguire had engaged in serious corrupt conduct over a number of years for his dealings related to the company.

– AAP