Singer’s luxe lifestyle aided by Wall Street firms

Now they’re in line with other creditors and business partners awaiting word on the state of Michael Jackson’s murky financial empire. Financial firms including Colony Capital LLC, Fortress Investment Group and Barclays Bank PLC poured tens of millions into the singer over the years. The cash allowed Jackson, a notorious binge spender, to maintain a lavish lifestyle befitting a global pop star. But the potential peril of owning a portfolio tied to an eccentric entertainer became apparent with the singer’s surprise death at the age 50. It also highlighted Wall Street’s fascination with the entertainment industry – a trend that could cool depending upon how much Jackson’s creditors manage to…

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