Since then this guy was one of Putins favorite oligarchs. The state gave him money which he used to start more companies, eventually developing state within state. One of his conpanies was major catering provider for Russian government, administration, schools and the army. He runs dozens of companies, including media companies running paper and internet press. He is also known to be behind part of russian propaganda and public opinion influence operation in western internet. It was noted that some hyper-active polish-speaking twitter accounts that were famously anti-ukraine have gone silent in last two days - the suspection is that those belonged to his troll farms that Kremlin has seized.
Wagner group was his latest enterprise and fighting wars around the world made him even richer, but he is not a mercenary. He is an oligarch who got too powerful and Kremlin is now trying to strike him down. He’s a brigand turned convenience store clerk who by some means took control on whole network of those stores which led him open his own restaurant and then Putin elevated into oligarch because he though that his debt to him will make him forever loyal.