NSW's Independent Commission Against Corruption heard lobbyist Jeremy Greenwood say "don't give me that look" to a person in the hearing room while giving evidence.
It came after a barrage of questions from counsel assisting Peggy Dwyer, alleging sham payments from Catholic Schools NSW to Jean-Claude Perrottet, brother of former NSW premier Dominic Perrottet.
ICAC's Operation Rosny is investigating alleged illicit political donations and branch-stacking spearheaded by the Reformers - a conservative Christian faction among NSW Liberals.
"The true situation is you have concocted with your friend Jean-Claude Perrottet and others a story to justify accounts that show you paid half the money you got in from Catholic Schools to Jean-Claude Perrottet," Dr Dwyer said.
A visibly frustrated Mr Greenwood labelled the allegation false, before turning to someone present at the commission and saying "don't give me that look" from the witness box.
It spurred commissioner Fabian Gleeson to rebuke him.
"You do not direct comments to other people sitting in this room, do you understand what is expected of you as a witness?" the commissioner said.
Mr Greenwood apologised after saying he did not appreciate "faces being pulled", without specifying who he was referring to.
Earlier on Wednesday, the inquiry heard Jean-Claude Perrottet demanded money from lobbyists who were flush with cash from fugitive property developer Jean Nassif.
Nassif, who has a warrant out for his arrest over fraud allegations, transferred money to advisory firm Beckington, which retained him as a client.
The controversial client, who is believed to have fled Australia to Lebanon, was codenamed 'Concord' by the lobbyists.
In a message to business partner Christian Ellis in August 2020, Mr Greenwood implored him to pay money owed to Jean-Claude Perrottet.
"You need to give Claude this full amount considering what Concord gives - it's not right he doesn't get it," Mr Greenwood's message to Mr Ellis read.
Dr Dwyer grilled the 37-year-old lobbyist and alleged the funds were for Liberal Party membership recruitment undertaken by Jean-Claude Perrottet for the Reformers.
"This was not about helping out a friend who was skint ... it wasn't a favour, it was about you trying to get Mr Ellis to give him an amount that was committed to him for the recruitment?" she asked.
Mr Greenwood denied a scheme to funnel funds for factional work was at play.
Dr Dwyer continued reading another message he sent.
"Even if it comes out of Beckington, it's not right he's owed it," Mr Greenwood implored Mr Ellis.
The lobbyist maintained he was helping out a close friend and had no concerns funds were being debited from the firm's business account.
Dr Dwyer questioned the veracity of his testimony.
"I am giving honest answers," Mr Greenwood replied.
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