Alleged fraudster Ian Lazar has been accused of swindling an 88-year-old woman of her northern NSW home and leaving her to die homeless.
But if he was going to flee he would have already done so, his lawyer Rick Mitry says.
The 43-year-old was on Friday before a Sydney court, charged over the alleged deceptive takeover of Amy Hewitt's Nambucca Heads property after hearing of her financial troubles on a 2003 current affairs show.
Police allege Lazar, who was denied bail, offered to pay off Ms Hewitt's debt but then transferred ownership of her home to his company without her knowledge.
Mr Mitry earlier argued his client needed ongoing medical treatment, had severe asthma and needed to be out of custody to access records and instruct lawyers.
Lazar had known about the possibility of charges for a while and "would have already fled if he was going to," Mr Mitry added.
"The risk of flight is minimal."
Lazar had been prepared to surrender his passport, deposit a surety and adhere to any further bail conditions the court wished to imposed.
Prosecutor Vanessa Robichaux opposed release, saying no conditions could mitigate the unacceptable risks that Lazar would interfere with witnesses or evidence.
He had sent threatening emails to at least one witness, the court heard.
Magistrate Mark Buscombe denied Lazar's release and ordered him back before the courts on January 15, about the same time his pregnant fiance is due to give birth.
Lazar is likely to apply for bail again.
His legal team is prepared to "vigorously" defend the charges.
"He's confident that he will win this case," Mr Mitry said outside the court.
During the failed bail application the court also heard Lazar had connections to criminals, but Mr Mitry said it was just business.
"The people that they suggested that he had links with are people he's currently in dispute with," he said.
"They're people who have borrowed money off him in the past, so he's naturally got links if he's had business dealings with them."
Mr Mitry said the charges stem from a police and media campaign, fuelled by disgruntled investors who couldn't afford to repay Lazar and a bankrupt former employee.
