In December, the company announced its would-be buyers--led by private-equity firm J.

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Penney and even after signs emerged that things were not going well Ackman boldly predicted that a Johnson-led J.

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In December, student lender Sallie Mae announced its would-be buyers--led by J.

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Sallie Mae was also stung when its would-be suitors led by private-equity firm J.

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The buyout group, which is led by the private-equity firm J.

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