Eddie Obeid faces possible jail term

FORMER NSW LABOR POWERBROKER EDDIE OBEID MAY FACE JAIL:

WHO

Eddie Obeid, 72-year-old former NSW Labor minister.

CHARGE

Wilful misconduct in public office

TRIAL

The prosecution said that in 2007 Obeid, an MP, lobbied Maritime Authority deputy chief executive Steve Dunn on behalf of leaseholders at Sydney's Circular Quay.

The leaseholders opposed plans for the lucrative leases to be put out to public tender.

Obeid and family members had a financial interest in some cafe leases and Obeid received envelopes of cash from the takings of the businesses, according to the crown.

The MP asked Mr Dunn to meet a negotiator acting on behalf of "mistreated" leaseholders with a view to advancing his family's interests, but did not reveal those interests, crown prosecutor Peter Neil SC said.

However, the defence said Obeid only asked Mr Dunn to speak to the negotiator and did not push for a particular result.

THE VERDICT

A NSW Supreme Court jury returned a guilty verdict on Monday after less than a day of deliberations.

SENTENCE

Obeid is due to face a sentence hearing in August. Prosecutors are expected to ask for a jail term.