Grand Theft Auto Series Storyline Guide
Version: 3.2
(April 21, 2008)
By: Matthew Vetere
=====================================================================
A. Introduction
A1. What the &^#$ is this thing?
A2. Why not GTA 1, GTA London, and GTA 2?
A3. Meet the Author
A4. Submissions/ Contact Info.
A5. Version History
=====================================================================
B. Locations
B-LC. Liberty City
B-LC07. Liberty City (2007)
B-VC. Vice City
B-LS. Los Santos
B-SF. San Fierro
B-LV. Las Venturas
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C. Gangs
C-BA. Ballas
C-BI. Bikers
C-BLFT. Blood Feather Triads
C-CH. Cholos
C-COC. Columbian Cartel
C-COL. Columbians (Vice City)
C-CULC. Cubans/ Los Cabrones
C-DANB. Da Nang Boys
C-DIA. Diablos
C-FOF. Forelli Family
C-GOL. Golfers
C-GSF. Grove Street Families
C-HAI. Haitians
C-LFM. Leone Family
C-MBR. Mendez Brothers
C-MCBT. Mountain Cloud Boys (Triads)
C-PUN. Purple Nines
C-REGT. Red Gecko Tong
C-REJ. Red Jacks
C-SAFR. San Fierro Rifa
C-SEG. Security Guards
C-SFM. Sindacco Family
C-STW. Streetwannabe's
C-TRLC. The Triads (Liberty City)
C-TRPM. Trailer Park Mafia
C-VAG. Vagos
C-VLA. Varrios Los Aztecas
C-VGCR. Vercetti Gang/ Crime Ring
C-YAK. Yakuza
C-YAR. Yardies
=====================================================================
D. Characters
D-8B. 8-Ball
D-BD. B Dup
D-BM. Baker, Mitch
D-BN. Bellic, Niko
D-BR. Bellic, Roman
D-BGB. Big Bear
D-BGS. Big Smoke
D-BRN. Burner, Ned
D-CRA. Carrington, Avery
D-CSG. Casa, Giovanni
D-CMJ. Cassidy, Mary-Jo
D-CP. Cassidy, Phil
D-CWL. Cassidy-Williams, Louise
D-CA. Catalina
D-CL. Chong, Lee
D-CM. Chonks, Marty
D-CV. Cilli, Vincenzo
D-CMS. Mrs. Cipriani
D-CT. Cipriani, Toni
D-CLD. Claude
D-CJG. Cortez, Juan Garcia
D-CRM. Cortez, Mercedes
D-DI. D-Ice
D-DR. Diaz, Ricardo
D-DW. Dwaine
D-EB. El Burro
D-FB. Forbes, Bryan
D-FF. Forelli, Franco
D-FM. Forelli, Mike
D-FS. Forelli, Sonny
D-GL. Goterelli, Luigi
D-HM. Hamfists, Mickey
D-HOJ. Hernandez, Officer Jimmy
D-HJ. Hopper, Jane
D-JT. Jethro
D-JZB. Jizzy B.
D-JB. Johnson, Beverly
D-JBR. Johnson, Brian
D-JC. Johnson, Carl
D-JK. Johnson, Kendl
D-JS. Johnson, Sean
D-JCM. Jones, Cam
D-KA. Kasen, Asuka
D-KK. Kasen, Kazuki
D-KKJ. Kasen, Kenji
D-KT. Kasen, Toshiko
D-KC. King Courtney
D-KH. King, Hilary
D-LM. Latore, Maria
D-LJ. Leone, Joey
D-LS. Leone, Salvatore
D-LRF. Li, Ran Fa
D-LD. Love, Donald
D-LF. Love Fist
D-MC. Maccer
D-MR. Machowski, Ray
D-MD. Madd Dogg
D-MJ. Martinez, Jerry
D-ML. McAffrey, Leon
D-MA. Mendez, Armando
D-MDG. Mendez, Diego
D-MTB. Mendez, T-Bone
D-MG. Miguel
D-MI. Misty
D-MWZ. Mu, Wu Zi
D-OJD. O'Toole, JD
D-OGL. OG Loc
D-PK. Paul, Kent
D-POR. Pendelbury, Officer Ralph
D-PM. Perkins, Millie
D-PA. Poulet, Auntie
D-POE. Pulaski, Officer Eddie
D-RU. Robina, Umberto
D-RD. Robinson, Denise
D-RK. Rosenburg, Ken
D-RY. Ryder
D-SS. Scott, Steve
D-SA. Shrub, Alex
D-SJ. Sindacco, Johnny
D-SP. Sindacco, Paulie
D-SN. The Snakehead
D-SC. Suxxx, Candy
D-TOF. Tenpenny, Officer Frank
D-TM. Toreno, Mike
D-TMS. Torini, Massimo
D-TT. The Truth
D-VL. Vance, Lance
D-VV. Vance, Victor
D-VT. Vercetti, Tommy
D-VC. Vialpando, Cesar
D-WR. Wassulmaier, Reni
D-WMJ. Williams, Marty Jay
D-ZR. Zero
=====================================================================
E. Storyline by Timeline
E1. 1971-1983
E2. 1984
E3. 1985
E4. 1986
E5. 1987-1991
E6. 1992
E7. 1993-1997
E8. 1998
E9. 1999-2000
E10. 2001
E11. 2007
=====================================================================
F. Legal Stuff
=====================================================================
G. Thank You/ Closing Comments
=====================================================================
=====================================================================
A. Introduction
---------------------------------------------------------------------
A1. What the &^#$ is this thing?
This guide is here to give you insight into the Grand Theft Auto Series
universe.  Dealing with the main storyline of the game series, trying
to make connections wherever possible in order to help you see the 'big
picture' and how everything in this series is related.  Each game is a
part of a larger world and, hopefully, this guide will help you see
that.  If not, then I've failed in life.  I'm sorry.
This guide will go through a chronological timeline of the games giving
the stories and general plots of each.  It'll also get into the
background and some history on the major gangs or groups in the series.
We'll then deal with main characters related to the storyline of the
games.  Of course, the guide won't get into every single background
story on each building or group simply because there would be too much
data and I'd probably be an old man by the time I finished writing
this.
GTA Advance is a different story than the other modern GTA games.  Some
of its cannon but then there are other facts that don't make sense.
Recently, I purchased a Nintendo DS so I may be able to grab a copy of
this and review it.  I'll keep you all updated on it.  However, if
there's currently something that you feel is important to the general
storyline then email me and I'll try to include it.
Please note that this guide contains as much information as possible
about the Grand Theft Auto series storylines.  That means SPOILERS!
It's all discussed here so if you want to be surprised than you
shouldn't read any further.  Go play the games and come back.  I'll
wait.
OK, you done?  Good.  Now we'll continue.
This guide will be a comprehensive look at the Grand Theft Auto series
but will not include GTA 1, GTA London, or GTA 2.
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A2. Why not GTA 1, GTA London, and GTA 2?
The main problem with these games is that they don't have a fixed year.
It isn't specified in 1 or 2.  Yes, London is set in the 60's but it
follows the ideas and flow of the 1st series of games.  The Grand Theft
Auto 1 series/era if you will.  GTA III was basically the start of the
"true" series and storyline aspect.  Also, GTA 1 doesn't have a lead
character.  So my description would be "some guy runs around doing jobs
for some people".  Now you don't want crap like that in here do you?
Do you?  You're sick!
Therefore, these games will be left out of this guide.  One day I may
do some info from them like a 'History of GTA' or something but for now
they're gone.
---------------------------------------------------------------------
A3. Meet the Author
My name is Matthew Vetere and I'm a 24 year old gamer.  I've been
playing video games since as far back as I can remember.  I originally
started out on the old Atari systems with my cousins but moved to
better technology afterwards.  I began my love for writing long after
I'd finished college and I do regret not taking some writing courses
when I had the chance.  But I did specialize in Accounting and now work
for the Town of Markham which is just north of Toronto, Ontario,
Canada.  It's a good town as they're very environmentally friendly
here.
My first writing experiences came on a former site of mine as I would
review wrestling shows, PPVs, and write columns.  I'm still a big
wrestling fan but video games are my true hobby.  With my recent
wedding and a new house I have had less time to write but I still enjoy
it.  This is my first guide experience and I really enjoyed writing it.
The Grand Theft Auto series along with the Metal Gear Solid series
would be my favourite games of all time.  They're just 2 wonderful
series and I'm biting my nails waiting for GTA IV and Metal Gear Solid
4: Guns of the Patriots for the PS3.  Also note that just because I
have a PS3 I am not a 'fanboy'.  I think all the current systems have
great features and the gamers benefit.
Well, I think that covers it for now.  If anyone wants to know more or
wants me to write about something specific then email me
(MATTVSIN@GMAIL.COM).  Or you can find me posting on the forum at
Stablewars.com.
---------------------------------------------------------------------
A4. Submissions/ Contact Info.
As thorough as I feel that I've been in this document I know that it's
not perfect.  Nothing is ever perfect.  Therefore, if you see any
problems or if you have any suggestions then contact me.  If your
submission is new, better information or just a different idea it'll be
added and you'll be credited.  Also if you have any comments about the
series or anything like that.  My contact email is:
MATTVSIN@GMAIL.COM
Simple enough email I believe.  I also check it everyday so I should be
a good contact if you have a question.  Thanks to everyone that has
emailed me so far and given their feedback or additional information.
---------------------------------------------------------------------
A5. Version History
Version 1.0 (July 6, 2006) - The beginning.  Pretty comprehensive.
Version 1.1 (August 24, 2006) - Made some grammatical corrections.
Added information based on Vice City Stories.
Version 1.11 (August 31, 2006) - Made some small additions thanks to
Dan Justice's info.  Some other additional information added.
Version 2.0 (January 10, 2007) - Been a while since my last update.
Big update here.  Added in characters and storyline for Vice City
Stories.  Corrections and adjustments on other information.
Version 3.0 (March 8, 2007) - Rebuilt the search IDs for the cities,
gangs, and characters to make it easier (the number system was weak).
Added in points from some people who have email.  Reworded almost
everything to correct grammar, spelling errors, and to genuinely
improve the guide. Basically a huge overhaul.
Version 3.1 (July 4, 2007) - Fixed a bit of the wording and added a
section for GTAIV.
Version 3.2 (April 21, 2008) - Fixed a bit of the wording and added
more sections for GTAIV.
=====================================================================
B. Locations
The Grand Theft Auto universe (GTA 3 to GTA Vice City Stories, soon to
be GTAIV) has been portrayed in five different cities.  They're all
based on real-world cities and modeled similar to them.  While in the
game you can notice the similarities between the cities and their real-
world counterparts.  The most significant features will stand out (the
hills and streetcars of San Fierro, the crime and pollution of Los
Santos, the Miami Vice carbon copy of Vice City).  Below is a list of
each city in the GTA universe, some information, and its corresponding
real-world city.
-----------------------------------------------------------
B-LC. Liberty City
Based on: New York City, NY
Population: Approx. 4 million
Comments: Motorcycle operation/ ownership banned in 2001.
It's composed of three islands attached by tunnels, bridges, and ferry
lines.  The islands in Liberty City are: Portland, Staunton Island and
Shoreside Vale. Portland would be the industrial sector of the city.
It contains the poor neighbourhoods, docks, red light districts,
warehouses, etc...  Portland is also the home to several criminal
organizations including the Italian Mafia, Chinese Triads, and the
Diablos.  Staunton Island would be considered the commercial and
business sectors.  Containing skyscrapers, a huge park, and a casino
it's the heart of the city.  Crime gangs like the Yakuza and the
Yardies find their homes here.  Shoreside Vale is primarily the
residential area.  Upon entering the island one discovers a huge
international airport (Francis Intl. Airport).  Moving further along,
the upper class housing is located on Shoreside Vale but several poor
neighbourhoods still exist (such as Wichita Gardens).  There is also a
small industrial area located north of the airport.  Liberty City would
be the most featured city in the GTA universe. It has been featured in
6 of the games.  GTA III, Advance, and Liberty City Stories were
entirely set in the city.  GTA IV will be the next game to be entirely
set in Liberty City.  Vice City and San Andreas have opening credits
that start in Liberty City and during each game there are constant
references back to the city.  San Andreas even has a mission that's in
Liberty City.
Liberty City is a town ruled by gang violence and corruption.  There
are numerous gangs based on real-world groups.  Yakuza, Triads, mafia,
and several others are all based on their real-world counterparts.
While there are some allies between the gangs the bonds are weak and it
usually doesn't take much to start a gang war.  No one group can
control the city for too long as there are just too many gangs in the
same struggle for power and the strongest usually become the target for
all other groups.
The city is frequently referred to as 'the worst place in America'.
Games located in city: GTA 3, GTA Advance, GTA Liberty City Stories
-----------------------------------------------------------
B-LC07. Liberty City (2007)
Based on: New York City, NY
Population: Approx. 4 million
Comments: Motto: Worst Place in America
It's composed of 4 boroughs attached by tunnels, bridges, and ferry
lines.  The boroughs in Liberty City are: Dukes, Bohan, Broker, and
Algonquin. Broker is primarily the industrial sector of the city.  It
contains the poor neighbourhoods, docks, warehouses, etc...  Broker is
also the home of a small taxi company owned by Roman Bellic.  The Dukes
borough contains the city's airport known as Francis International.
Algonquin in the business area for Liberty City.  Skyscrapers and for
all the major companies as well as the massive Middle Park are located
here.  Bohan is the smallest borough in the city and contains mostly
co-op housing.  To the west of Liberty City is the state of Alderney
primarily dominated by Alderney City in the south and marshlands in the
north.  Liberty City would be the most featured city in the GTA
universe. It has been featured in 6 of the games.  GTA III, Advance,
and Liberty City Stories were entirely set in the city.  GTA IV is the
next game to be entirely set in Liberty City.  Vice City and San
Andreas have opening credits that start in Liberty City and during each
game there are constant references back to the city.  San Andreas even
has a mission that's in Liberty City.  GTA IV, however, introduces a
complete redesign to Liberty City which bares an even stronger
resemblance to New York City.
Liberty City is a town ruled by gang violence and corruption.  The
Russian and Italian mafias have strong influences on the city as does
the Triads.  While there are some allies between the gangs the bonds
are weak and can be broken easily.  No one group can control the city
for too long without them becoming the target of every other gang.
The city is frequently referred to as 'the worst place in America'.
Games located in city: GTAIV
-----------------------------------------------------------
B-VC. Vice City
Based on: Miami, FL
Population: 1.8 Million in 1986.
Comments: Enormous tax increases in the 1980's.
Vice City is a unique city.  Its southern location provides for warm
weather all year long while this also positions it close to the
Caribbean.  Legal and illegal immigration is a huge factor in the
city's population growth during the 1980's.  Ethnic groups such as
Cubans, Haitians, Mexicans, and Dominican immigrants all call this city
home.  Vice City consists of 2 primary islands.  The east island
contains an enormous beach, a huge shopping mall, clubs, a beach front
district, apartment complexes, hotels and boating docks.  The west
island contains most of the immigrant areas with Little Haiti and
Little Havana being the largest areas.  Escobar Intl. Airport is
located here as well as the Fort Baxter Military Air Base.  Hyman
Memorial Stadium attracts crowds with demolition derbies and other
violent car activities.  The west island is also the business side of
the city with shipping docks and industrial areas.  Located in the
centre of the 2 islands are several smaller ones.  Starfish Island
contains a gated community of wealthy Vice City citizens.  Leafs Links
Golf Course is located on these islands as well and provides a premiere
golf experience.
Gangs and racism are big issues in Vice City.  Thanks to its southern
location and proximity to the Caribbean, most of the gangs are
immigrants.  Groups of Cubans and Haitians have set themselves up in
Vice City and developed their own areas within the city.  The primary
income for most gangs is the sale of drugs.  Most of these drugs get
imported from the Caribbean and sold at a huge mark up to the Vice City
population.  Corrupt businessmen and politicians hold the real power
over the city.  Paying off the law or changing laws and legislation is
how they maintain that power.
Games located in city: GTA Vice City, GTA Vice City Stories
-----------------------------------------------------------
B-LS. Los Santos
Based on: Los Angeles, CA
Population: Unknown.
Comments: Nicknamed the "City of Saints"
Los Santos is a city located in the southeast region of the San Andreas
state.  Situated close to the Mexican border, immigration and low
income families are a huge problem for the city.  There are several
poor neighbourhoods located in Los Santos.  The city also suffers from
pollution problems, thanks to the industrial sector in the southeast
corner of the city.  The wind off the ocean pushes this pollution all
over the city creating a 'haze' that surrounds it.  The early 1990's
saw the huge introduction of drugs into Los Santos.  Some of the local
gangs sold the drugs and profited from it while others stayed away from
the issue.  These gangs suffered since some members betrayed them to
score on this industry and the drugs basically took over the city.
Gangs are a huge problem for Los Santos.  Each gang has their own
territory located around their homes or neighbourhoods.  Gang wars are
sparked very easily between similar ethnic groups or rival gangs.
Simple insults or accidentally walking into a gang's territory can be
the spark for gang wars.  The early 1990's were filled with gang wars
and drug problems for the city.  Corrupt police officers rule the town
and align themselves with gangs to promote their own agenda.
Games located in city: GTA San Andreas
-----------------------------------------------------------
B-SF. San Fierro
Based on: San Francisco, CA
Population: Unknown.
Comments: Least problematic city in the GTA universe.
San Fierro is located in the northwest region of the San Andreas state.
San Fierro has a very polished look to it.  The streets are clean and
the city has no industrial sector so pollution isn't a problem.  There
is no low income or "poor" area in the city possibly due to high
housing costs.  San Fierro is a prime business city with hotels, car
dealerships, and clubs being the main businesses.  San Fierro has a
large Chinese and Vietnamese population thanks to its position on the
west coast of the U.S.  These 2 ethnic groups fight with each other but
not very often.  Chinatown is a hot spot for tourists along with the
docks on the northern shore.  San Fierro's airport is located to the
southeast of the city near the US Naval Base.
San Fierro has several gangs but most of them aren't very violent.
They stick to their own businesses and fronts.  The Chinese gangs would
be the only large gang in the city with the Rifa (a Hispanic gang)
following.  Some of these gangs have profited off the drug problems in
Los Santos.  They produce the drugs in factories in San Fierro and then
send them off to Los Santos to be sold at a mark-up.  Chinese and
Vietnamese gangs had several conflicts in the early 1990's but it
quickly ended with the disappearance of the Vietnamese gangs.
Games located in city: GTA San Andreas
-----------------------------------------------------------
B-LV. Las Venturas
Based on: Las Vegas, NV
Population: Unknown.
Comments: City based around gambling.
Las Venturas is located in the northeast region of the San Andreas
state.  Smack dab in the middle of a huge desert, Las Venturas glows
with neon lights in the night.  The city is powered by a huge
hydroelectric dam located in the west called Sherman Dam.  Tourist
gambling and spending is a primary source of revenue for the city.
Several quiet suburb areas surround the central district called 'The
Strip' which consists of restaurants, bars, casinos, hotels, and other
businesses.  A main highway has been built which circles the city and
helps ease the flow of traffic around the main tourist locations.
In the early 1990's the town was owned by the mafia.  The casino
business was firmly in their grasp.  However, Chinese Triad gangs moved
in and develop their own casinos in competition with the mafia.  Gang
issues arose but settled shortly after.  The mafia's hold on the city
was eventually weakened and the city has become simply a business
community with minimal gang influence.
Games located in city: GTA San Andreas
=====================================================================
C. GANGS
What would be a Grand Theft Auto game without gangs?  Gangs are what
drive the personalities and motivations of the individuals met
throughout the GTA universe.  There is no one type of gang in GTA.
They're very diverse and even the same gang can be totally different
depending on the time period and location.  Motivations change during
the years.  Gangs are armed differently, have different goals, and use
different fronts for their business.  This section will list and
explain each gang or group that is worthy of such a description.
Worthiness is based on what influence they have in their city or their
importance to the storyline.
-----------------------------------------------------------
C-BA. Ballas
City: Los Santos
Turf: Idlewood, Glen Park
Leader: Unknown
Clothes/ colours: Any purple clothing.  Hoody, pants, bandanas, etc...
Vehicles: Majestic (Credit: Dan Justice), Tahoma (Credit: Nitzhi
Volganopol)
Activity: Robbery, drug dealing.
The Ballas were originally formed somewhere in the 1980's.  It is
unknown who started the group or where in Los Santos it originated.
Some theories suggest they started in or around Idlewood or Glen Park
since those are typically low income, African-American neighbourhoods.
This puts them close to the Grove Street Families which could also
point to the hatred between the gangs.  The gang is the most hated
enemy of the Grove Street Families.  Due to fighting among the Grove
Street Families and the introduction of drugs the GSF lost much of its
former glory.  The Ballas were able to take over most of the Grove's
territory during this time.  In 1992, Carl Johnson returned to Los
Santos and began helping the Grove Street Families regain territory and
influence.  The Ballas may have been caught off guard as CJ was able to
unite the families quickly.  However, due to the defection of Big Smoke
and Ryder to the Ballas and the murder of several top members, the
Grove Street Families were almost wiped out.  The drugs the Ballas sold
were a strong reason for this defection.  Later that year, the Grove
Street Families returned and were eventually able to wipe out most of
the Ballas gang.  At present it is unknown whether the Ballas were
completely taken out or not.
Storyline: The Ballas started gaining strong influence around 1987 when
the Grove Street Families lost one of its leaders.  Carl Johnson left
Los Santos after a mistake he made that got his brother, Brian, killed.
The Ballas began using drugs to expand their influence and control in
Los Santos.  During this time they seemed to have allied with the Vagos
and had a drug syndicate set up with the Rifa from San Fierro.  In
1992, the Johnson's mother was killed and Carl returned.  Carl set out
to bring the gang back to life.  He managed to get it going but found
drugs had a big influence over the former members.  The Ballas has
taken control of much of the city.  However, CJ was succeeding and had
several key victories over the Ballas.  This was until the Grove Street
Families were betrayed by Big Smoke and Ryder who defected to the
Ballas.  Several high ranking members of the Grove Street were killed
in the incident.  The Ballas re-established themselves at the top of
Los Santos again.  Later, CJ destroyed the Rifa drug factory in San
Fierro so the supply to Los Santos and the Ballas would end.  CJ then
killed Ryder, broke up the drug syndicate and returned to Los Santos.
He brought together the Grove Street Families again and took on the
Ballas.  CJ and the Grove Street Families were able to kill Big Smoke,
Officer Tenpenny, and numerous Ballas members.  Continuing on they took
over the Ballas' territory.  It is unknown if the Ballas survived and
if the gang is still around.
-----------------------------------------------------------
C-BI. Bikers
City: Vice City
Turf: Small area near Greasy Choppers Bar
Leader: Big Mitch Baker
Clothes/ colours: Leather jackets and vest, blue jeans, bandanas
Vehicles: Harley-style Motorcycles
Activity: Security services, protection
The Bikers consist of several war veterans and motorcycle fanatics.
They act as a family and are very close to one another.  Joining the
gang is difficult and not taken lightly among the members.  One must
prove that they're worthy and this usually involving winning a race
against other bikers and perform several tasks to prove they're worthy
to be accepted.  Once you're in the group, they will treat you as a
member of the family.
Storyline: Kent Paul decided that he needed security for a Love Fist
concert.  So he asked Tommy Vercetti to go get the Bikers and hire them
as the security.  Tommy first had to become a member of the gang before
they would do the security.  So Tommy performed several tasks for the
gang including getting Big Mitch's bike back after it was stolen.
Eventually, Tommy is accepted into the gang and Big Mitch agrees to
provide security for the concert which goes off without any problems.
-----------------------------------------------------------
C-BLFT. Blood Feather Triads
City: San Fierro
Turf: Chinatown
Leader: Unknown
Clothes/ colours: Black suits, traditional red and white Chinese
clothing.
Vehicles: Unknown
Activity: Possibly involved in gambling
The Blood Feathers were a section of the Chinese Triad group in San
Fierro.  Little is known about them as the gang was completely wiped
out by the Da Nang Boys, a Vietnamese gang, who moved to San Fierro in
the early 1990's.  The Blood Feather Triads appeared to have been
targeted first by the Da Nang Boys as they were the weakest group of
the Triads.  It didn't appear that the Blood Feathers had much control
or influence over the Triad operations or in the city of San Fierro.
Storyline: CJ and Woozie go to the Blood Feathers in an attempt to
strengthen their alliance in order to stop the Da Nang Boys.  CJ and
Woozie were too late as the Da Nang Boys had already killed all the
Blood Feathers gang members.  They attacked CJ and Woozie who managed
to escape after a brief chase.  This action by the Da Nang Boys starts
a gang war between the Triads and themselves.
-----------------------------------------------------------
C-CH. Cholos
City: Vice City
Turf: Little Havana
Leader: Unknown
Clothes/ colours: Gang shirts
Vehicles: Unknown
Activity: Drug and weapon distribution
In the early 1980's the Cholos controlled the Little Havana area and
the majority of the illegal business in Vice City.  They were involved
in drugs, guns, and several other business fronts.  The Cholos were
involved in a constant war with the Trailer Park Mafia as well as Phil
Cassidy over their business fronts.  In 1984, Los Cabrones arrived in
Vice City and started a massive turf war with the Cholos for control of
Little Havana.  The Cholos fought Los Cabrones off for a short time but
were eventually wiped out that same year.
Storyline: In 1984 the Cholos had control of Little Havana.  Los
Cabrones arrived in Vice City and started a turf war with the Cholos
over Little Havana.  The leader of Los Cabrones, Umberto Robina,
acquired the help of Victor Vance to assist Umberto and his gang in
taking out the Cholos.  That same year they were successful and Los
Cabrones took over.
-----------------------------------------------------------
C-COC. Columbian Cartel
City: Liberty City
Turf: Cedar Grove, Construction Site (Port Staunton)
Leader: Currently unknown, 1998 - Miguel, 2000 - Cisco, 2001 - Catalina
and Miguel
Clothes/ colours: Navy blue pants, Hawaiian shirts
Vehicles: Cartel Cruiser
Activity: Drug distribution
In 1998, the Cartel was led by Miguel (who leads in GTA III) and seemed
to be just starting out in Liberty City.  They were heavy into the drug
business, which was their primary business front.  In 2000, the
Columbian Cartel was lead by Cisco.  It is unknown why or how Miguel
fell from leader of the Cartel during this time.  They were primarily
involved in the drugs industry under Cisco's leadership as well.  A man
by the name of Mike started working for the Cartel during the same
year.  Mike began working with the Cartel after he had killed and beat
up several of the Cartel's high officials.  Cisco, not knowing of the
murders, hired Mike for his brutality.  The Cartel started some bad
blood with the Yakuza by kidnapping the Yakuza leader's niece.  She was
eventually broken out by Mike.  Cisco is eventually killed by a man
that Mike thought was dead.  In 2001, Catalina and Miguel took over the
Cartel.  They used the Cartel to sell their new drug, SPANK, to Liberty
City.  Catalina, however, was still obsessed with ending her former
boyfriend's, Claude's, life and eventually was killed by Claude along
with several high ranking members in the Cartel.  It's unknown what
happened to the Cartel after that.
Storyline: In 1998, the Cartel wasn't big time just yet.  They were led
by Miguel who would later lose his power to Cisco and then regain it
thanks to Catalina.  They were already into the drug business.  In
2000, Cisco hired Mike for the Cartel and Mike would work with them
until he started to work for the Yakuza.  Mike then went back to the
Cartel when Cisco said that he had information about Mike's friend's
(Vinnie) killer.  Cisco was then murdered by Vinnie himself.  In 2001,
Catalina and Miguel took over the Cartel.  They used the Cartel to
distribute their new drug, SPANK.  Catalina also used the Cartel to
attempt to kill Claude but they were unsuccessful.  Miguel was captured
by Claude and Asuka.  He proceeded to give up valuable information to
Asuka as a result of her torture.  Catalina returned to where Miguel
was captured, killed Miguel and Asuka, and kidnapped Claude's
girlfriend, Maria.  Claude followed them and managed to kill Catalina
as well as numerous Cartel members.  It is unknown what happened after
this to the Cartel.
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C-COL. Columbians (Vice City)
City: Vice City
Turf: Starfish Island, Diaz Mansion
Leader: Ricardo Diaz
Clothes/ colours: Hawaiian shirts and dark pants.
Vehicles: Unknown
Activity: Protection, drug dealing
In the mid 1980's the Vice City Columbians became extremely powerful
and held a great deal of influence over Vice City.  They ruled the
city.  The leader, Ricardo Diaz, had only been in the country for a few
years and had a reputation of being a hot head.  He would do anything
and kill anyone to further the Columbian's business.  They were heavily
into importing and selling of drugs.  In 1986, however, the Columbian
gang interfered in a drug deal between the Vance Brothers and Tommy
Vercetti.  Tommy eventually decimated the Columbians including killing
their leader, Ricardo Diaz.  It's unknown if the gang regrouped or
ceased to exist in the following years.
Storyline: Ricardo Diaz was assisted by Victor Vance in 1984.  Victor
did several jobs for Ricardo and when Victor and Lance left Vice City
for a short time, Ricardo took over most of their business.  In 1986,
Ricardo Diaz had learned of Tommy Vercetti's drug deal and sent a team
to ambush it.  They were successful.  Tommy and the returning Lance
Vance set out to find who had done this.  Tommy started working for
Diaz and soon discovered that it was Diaz who broke up their deal.
Tommy planned Diaz' downfall but Lance jumped the gun and attacked
Diaz.  He was captured.  Tommy broke him out, they stormed the Diaz
mansion, killed all of Diaz' men and then killed Diaz himself.  It's
not known if some of the Diaz' gang members survived and restarted or
it ended at that point.
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C-CULC. Cubans/ Los Cabrones
City: Vice City
Turf: Little Havana
Leader: Umberto Robina
Clothes/ colours: Red bandanas, white shirts, blue pants.
Vehicles: Cuban Hermes
Activity: Drug dealing, smuggling
In the mid 1980's, Cuban refugees came to Vice City in increasing
numbers due to its close proximity to Cuba.  In 1984 a turf war broke
out between the newly arrived Los Cabrones and the Cholos in Vice City.
They fought with the Cholos for control of Little Havana and were
successful.  Between this time and 1986 they began a turf war with
Haitian refugees in Vice City.  Little Haiti and Little Havana are
located right beside each other and the pursuit of new territory may
have been a cause for this turf war.  The war was back and forth with
neither side getting the upper hand.  However, the Cubans eventually
crippled their Haitian rivals when several Cubans destroyed a Haitian
factory.  The Cubans continued on with their business after this.
Storyline: In 1984, Los Cabrones came to Little Havana and started a
turf war with the Cholos for control of the area.  They managed to wipe
out the Cholos with the help of Victor Vance.  In 1986, they were in a
turf war with the Haitians.  The Haitians tried to break up a deal the
Cubans were making with Ricardo Diaz and the Columbians but Tommy
Vercetti stopped them.  Umberto Robina, the leader of the Cubans, hired
Tommy after he'd killed a man that did some jobs for Umberto.  Tommy
first had to prove himself to Umberto and was successful.  Tommy
proceeded to help the Cubans steal drugs from the Haitians and then
destroy the Haitian factory.  It is assumed that the Cubans continued
along with their business after the turf war.
-----------------------------------------------------------
C-DANB. Da Nang Boys
City: San Fierro
Turf: Easter Basin
Leader: Currently unknown, 1992 - Snakehead
Clothes/ colours: Regular street clothes.
Vehicles: Unknown
Activity: Shipping, importing of illegal immigrants
The Da Nang Boys are a Vietnamese gang that moved to San Fierro in the
early 1990's.  During the move they managed to kill the Blood Feather
Triads in an attempt to make their mark and seize territory.  However,
they were quickly killed off by the Mountain Cloud Boys in retaliation
for this attack.  It's not known if the remaining members returned to
Vietnam to rejoin the rest of the gang or not.
Storyline: In 1992, the Da Nang Boys attacked the Triad gangs in San
Fierro.  The Triads questioned themselves on why the Da Nang Boys had
been on the offensive in recent weeks.  The answer was found to be that
the entire group was relocating to San Fierro and looking to seize
territory.  Woozie got CJ to bug the tanker that the Da Nang Boys
operated from to find this information.  They also found that the
leader, Snakehead, is arriving in San Fierro and will be on the tanker.
CJ heads out to the tanker and kills all the Da Nang Boys on the boat
including the Snakehead.  This ends the group's activities in San
Fierro.
-----------------------------------------------------------
C-DIA. Diablos
City: Liberty City
Turf: Hepburn Heights
Leader: El Burro
Clothes/ colours: Jeans, navy blue jackets, orange or navy blue hats.
Vehicles: Diablo Stallion
Activity: Car racing, burglary, small time activities.
The Diablos are a relatively small gang.  They pride themselves on
being the top street racers of Liberty City.  This causes issues
between the Yardies gang and themselves since both gangs were heavily
involved in street racing.  Both gangs are located on separate islands
in the city but still managed to place hits and attacks on each other.
The Diablos only have small weapons such as handguns and bats.  Their
other fronts include burglary and possibly some small time drug
dealing.  The Diablos started making waves in 1998 on Portland Island.
By 2001, they controlled Hepburn Heights and the surrounding areas on
Portland after they won them in a turf war with the Leone Family.
Storyline: In 1998, the Diablos attacked the Leone Family in Hepburn
Heights in order to gain control of the area.  The Diablos weren't
successful, thanks to Toni Cipriani, but after several more attacks
they were and the Leone Family lost Hepburn Heights, possibly forever.
In 2001, Claude gets a call from El Burro, the Diablo leader.  He wants
Claude to work for him but he must prove himself first in a race.
Claude wins this race and shortly afterwards he performs some minor
jobs for El Burro before he stops doing business with them.  Later,
Claude goes to work for the Yardies and in a job for them he guns down
numerous Diablos members.  This severely hurt the group and its unknown
if anyone capitalized on this afterwards.
-----------------------------------------------------------
C-FOF. Forelli Family
City: Liberty City
Turf: St. Mark's Bistro
Leader: 1986 - Sonny Forelli, Franco Forelli by 1998
Clothes/ colours: Black suits, mafia style
Vehicles: Sentinel
Activity: Arms dealing, drug trafficking, protection, loan sharking.
The Forelli Family is a gang whose power has fluctuated over the years.
In the mid 1980's they had strong influence over much of Liberty City.
Attempts at expanding to Vice City would fail and would cause numerous
Forrelli Family member's deaths.  In 1992, they joined with the Leone
and Sindacco Families to fund a casino in Las Venturas.  That venture
would also fail as the Leone's took over, the casino was eventually
robbed and the Sindacco's would take over from there after the Leone
Family pulled out.  In 1998, they were losing influence and numbers in
Liberty City.  The Leone Family killed several more members in turf
wars involving all three families and the Sicilians.  By 2001, the
Forelli Family had very little influence in Liberty City and were
almost wiped out by the Leone Family.
Storyline: In 1986, Sonny Forelli was the head of the Forelli Family.
He sent Tommy Vercetti down to Vice City to get things rolling down
there with a drug deal.  The drug deal was ambushed and the money was
lost.  Tommy promised he would get Sonny's money back but began forming
his own criminal empire in Vice City.  The Forelli Family attempted to
take over Tommy's empire and failed.  Sonny along with several Forelli
Family members were killed.  In 1992, the Forelli Family had a part in
Caligula's Casino in Las Venturas.  But the Leone Family took over the
casino, which would eventually be robbed by Carl Johnson and the
Triads.  By 1998, the Forelli Family had minimal power in Liberty City.
They were caught in a war with the Sindacco and the Leone Families
thanks to a group of Sicilians.  The Leone Family, mainly Toni
Cipriani, killed several Forelli Family members in this conflict.  By
2001, the Forelli Family had lost a lot of influence in Liberty City.
Joey Leone started up some bad blood with them but Claude, working for
the Leone Family at the time, took care of the Forelli men that opposed
him.
-----------------------------------------------------------
C-GOL. Golfers
City: Vice City
Turf: Leaf Links Golf Course
Leader: Unknown
Clothes/ colours: Regular golfing clothing.
Vehicles: Caddy
Activity: Playing golf
The golfers are a group in Vice City that are centered around the Leaf
Links Golf Course.  They consist of elderly men and women, probably
retired, in golfing attire who love the club and sport.  They aren't
particularly violent or well armed, however, they will attack with golf
clubs and even 9mm pistols if provoked or assaulted.  They will only
resort to violence if you attack them first or disrupt their golf game.
Storyline: Tommy Vercetti encounters this group only a few times while
taking over Vice City in 1986.  They aren't too hostile but on a few
occasions attack him.  One particular incident happened after Tommy
Vercetti killed a man and several of his guards on the driving range in
the golf course area.  Several nearby golfers attacked Tommy but he
managed to escape them.
-----------------------------------------------------------
C-GSF. Grove Street Families
City: Los Santos
Turf: Grove Street
Leader: Carl Johnson (CJ), Sean Johnson (Sweet)
Clothes/ colours: Any green clothing.  Shirts, pants, bandanas, etc...
Vehicles: Savanna, Greenwood, Blade, Voodoo (Credit: Dan Justice,
Nitzhi Volganopol)
Activity: Robbery, land/ property acquisition
The Grove Street Families were originally formed somewhere in the
1980's.  The Johnson brothers, Sean and Carl, along with Big Smoke and
Ryder lead the group.  Due to fighting among the family, rival gangs,
and drugs the Grove Street Family lost much of its influence by the
early 1990's.  In 1992, Carl returned to Los Santos and began helping
the Grove Street Families regain territory and influence.  However, due
to the defection of Big Smoke and Ryder and the murder of several top
members, the Grove Street Family was almost wiped out.  Later that
year, the Grove Street Families returned and were eventually able to
wipe out most of the other gangs in Los Santos.  They allied themselves
with the Varrios Los Aztecas at this point.
Storyline: The downfall of the gang started around 1987 when a mistake
by Carl allowed the youngest brother in the family, Brian, to be
killed.  Carl left Los Santos and went to Liberty City.  In 1992, the
Johnson's mother was killed and Carl returned.  Upon his return he was
framed for a cop's murder and found his former gang to have lost
influence and been broken up through fighting among themselves.  Carl
set out to bring the gang back to life.  He managed to starting gaining
influence again but found drugs had become a big problem with the
former members.  Carl looked to be succeeding until the Grove Street
Family was betrayed by Big Smoke and Ryder.  Several high ranking
members were killed in the incident and Sweet was placed in jail.  Carl
was forced out of Los Santos.  While Carl went around other cities and
towns in San Andreas he was able to acquire a garage, an airstrip, and
become a partial owner of a casino.  He killed Ryder and a number of
individuals that he thought were involved in the drug operation that
cost him his family and gang.  He returned to Los Santos with new
allies and was able to take back his neighbourhood.  Sweet was released
from jail.  Carl and Sweet got the Grove Street Family together again
and they eventually killed Big Smoke and most of the rival gang, the
Ballas.  It's unknown whether the family was able to maintain their
influence in the following years.
-----------------------------------------------------------
C-HAI. Haitians
City: Vice City
Turf: Little Haiti
Leader: Auntie Poulet
Clothes/ colours: Purple bandanas and shirts, blue pants.
Vehicles: Voodoo
Activity: Drug dealing, smuggling
In the mid 1980's, Cuban refugees came to Vice City in increasing
numbers due to its close proximity to Haiti.  At some point they began
a turf war with Cuban refugees in Vice City.  The war was very back and
forth with no one getting the upper hand.  The Haitians were able to
win several key fights between the gangs; however, the Cubans
eventually crippled the Haitians when several of them destroyed a
Haitian factory.  The Haitian gang was not heard from after that point
and are believed to be either gone or in very few numbers.
Storyline: In 1986, the Haitians were involved in a turf war with the
Cubans in Vice City.  The Cubans were aided by Tommy Vercetti in
several missions.  However, Auntie Poulet used some special potions and
brainwashing to get Tommy to perform a few tasks for the Haitians.  He
helped them in several fights with the Cubans.  However, Tommy went
back to work for the Cubans and blew up the Haitian factory which may
have crippled the Haitian gang.  It's unknown what happened after this.
Comments: A lot of the dialogue for GTA Vice City referencing the
killing of Haitians had to be removed or edited in later versions or
re-releases of the game.  This was due to the Haitian community's
reaction over the negative treatment of their culture/ group and the
image it portrayed of them.  But apparently it's ok to reference the
killing of Italians, Cubans (although the Cubans also had problems with
this), Columbians, French, etc...  It's a game people, get over it.
-----------------------------------------------------------
C-LFM. Leone Family
City: Liberty City
Turf: Saint Mark's
Leader: Currently Joey Leone or Toni Cipriani, formerly Salvatore Leone
(formation of family in 80's until 2001)
Clothes/ colours: Black suits, sunglasses, mafia style
Vehicles: Mafia Sentinel
Activity: Protection, gambling, prostitution, drug trafficking
Little is known about the Leone Family before the 1990's.  Salvatore
Leone became the leader sometime in the 1980's after a power struggle
in the family.  In 1992, they were a third owner of a casino in Las
Venturas called Caligula's Casino.  This was thanks to Salvatore
lending the Sindacco Family $5 million as an investment for the casino.
The Leone Family waited for the right time and that same year they made
their move.  Taking over the casino, they were able to basically wipe
out the Sindacco Family.  The Forelli Family sent men after the Leone's
but they were killed as well.  However, the casino was later robbed and
it is assumed that the Leone's pulled out of the casino after that
incident.  The Sindacco's took it over again afterwards.  In 1998, the
Leone's made further pushes in Liberty City when Toni Cipriani returned
to the family.  They killed several Sindacco and Forelli Family members
in a turf war.  They also lost a lot of territory to the Diablos,
Triads, and Yakuza.  By 2001, the Leone's were in gang wars with the
Yakuza, Cartel, and Forelli's.  This put a severe strain on their
resources.  The biggest blow came when Salvatore Leone was murdered by
a former employee named Claude.  It is assumed that either Joey Leone,
Salvatore's son, or Toni Cipriani, Salvatore's right hand man took over
the family.
Storyline: In 1992, the Leone Family took control of Caligula's Casino
from the Sindacco and Forelli Families.  Retaliation was met with by
Carl Johnson who was working for the Leone's at the time.  What
Salvatore Leone didn't know was that Carl was planning a heist on the
casino and using his access to gather information.  Carl eventually
robbed the casino and it's believed that the Leone's pulled out of the
casino at this point or shortly afterwards.  In 1998, Toni Cipriani
returned to Liberty City and the Leone Family after performing a hit on
a "made" man in the city in 1994.  Toni helped Salvatore expand the
Leone's influence by first killing the mayor of Liberty City.  They
would also end the Sindacco Family in Liberty City and kill a great
deal of Forelli Family members.  However, they lost territory to the
Diablos, Triads, and Yakuza during that time.  Toni would eventually
become Salvatore's right hand man.  By 2001, the Leone's had lost some
influence in the city but recruited Claude to do work for them.  With
his help the Leone's were able to eliminate the Triad threat and
destroy a huge tanker owned by the Columbian Cartel.  Salvatore began
to believe that Claude had betrayed him.  Salvatore set up a trap but
Maria, Salvatore's former lover, saved Claude.  Through Maria's
connections, Claude began to work with the Yakuza.  He had to prove to
the Yakuza that he was no longer allied with the Leone's and,