Magic Johnson Hits Billionaire Status After $37.8 Billion EquiTrust Deal as FBI Probes Mark Walter
Updated
Updated · Yahoo Sports · Sep 4
Magic Johnson Hits Billionaire Status After $37.8 Billion EquiTrust Deal as FBI Probes Mark Walter
3 articles · Updated · Yahoo Sports · Sep 4
Summary
Magic Johnson became a billionaire after buying EquiTrust Life from Mark Walter in 2023, a transaction now drawing fresh scrutiny because Walter is already under FBI investigation.
A Guggenheim Partners compliance source told Pablo Torre the sale was not sent through the firm’s usual conflict-review process, though that team was designed to vet such transactions.
The source said the deal may have been intended to help a friend, arguing Johnson "helped them out with the Dodgers deal" and that EquiTrust gave him a massive jump in wealth.
EquiTrust holds about $37.8 billion in assets and $3.4 billion in available capital, making it the key asset behind Johnson’s billionaire status.
The broader FBI probe reportedly centers on Walter-linked insurers underreporting investments by billions of dollars in affiliated businesses, casting a shadow over his Lakers and Dodgers dealings.