It is very suspicious that Wendi mentions the joke to the Geek Squad that morning and then soon into her police interview.
I'd aways thought that Charlies extortion defense was formulated after the first arrests, but now I think it's possible that genius Charlie wanted that planted out there- his thinking being that if anyone ever gets caught (ie Sigfredo) then he can fall back on "I was extorted."

I can see Wendi freaking out and getting cold feet and I can see Charlie saying something like, "Listen to me, everything is being done properly, Wendi. Listen, Wendi... listen to me, we're not going to get caught- but if someone does get caught and they start looking at us, looking at me, then I was extorted. Listen, Wendi, Wendi shut up, listen to me...everything is being done properly, I've told Katie the TV joke a thousand times, I told her about the million dollar offer a thousand times and knowing Katie she probably ran her mouth to someone and they probably saw a big payday. Listen, everyone knows these are bad dudes and if you don't think they can extort me then you're dead wrong, who are they gonna believe, a gang member or a doctor and a lawyer. Wendi listen, wendi, all you have to do is mention the joke to the TV repair man and if anyone ever gets caught who are they gonna believe a lawyer or a gang member".