Former Labor powerbroker Graham Richardson embroiled in ICAC

Former NSW Labor powerbroker Graham Richardson is a "person of interest" in an investigation being conducted by the state's corruption watchdog, it's being reported.

Investigators from the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) have recently been taking statements over a property deal in which Mr Richardson, a former federal Labor minister, was engaged as a lobbyist.

It is understood that the planned public hearing into allegations of corruption involving former independent State MP Richard Torbay has been delayed due to the new avenues of inquiry, Fairfax Media reports.

Mr Torbay was dumped as a federal National Party candidate in March 2013 after being referred to the ICAC.

The investigation involves allegations that the then Armidale-based MP was being secretly bankrolled by the Labor Party from funds obtained from developer donations.