A key prosecution witness was approached about 10 days after a Melbourne man was bailed on allegations he tried to extort $100,000, a court has heard.
Rocco Arico, 37, is charged with five counts of extortion as well as charges for assault, blackmail, and possessing a firearm, ammunition, drugs and the proceeds of crime.
Police have alleged he made a series of threats to a man known as Witness A, including forcing him to sell his house to repay drug money.
Arico appeared in the Melbourne Magistrates Court on Friday while his lawyer Anthony Condello asked for a change to his bail conditions.
The court heard Arico's wife was due to receive a kidney transplant at the end of July and would likely be in hospital for weeks after the operation.
Arico wanted to change his 9pm curfew so that he could be with her and attend to family commitments.
Prosecutor Jane Warren didn't oppose some relaxation of the curfew but didn't want it completely removed, referencing "heightened concerns" about witnesses.
She said a key prosecution witness had been approached after Arico was granted bail but there was no allegation Arico was involved.
Mr Condello said Arico denied any involvement.
"There's no evidence such attempts have been linked to Mr Arico," said.
Deputy Chief Magistrate Jelena Popovic allowed a change of Arico's curfew.
He was bailed in May on a string of conditions, including regular reporting to police coupled with a $300,000 surety.
Arico's bail was also altered to allow him to report to a different police station because his wife hoped to recuperate at their beach property on weekends.
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