Leonzio "Leo" Santoro

## Description

Leonzio "Leo" Santoro is a force to be reckoned with in Los Santos. He commands respect and fear from all who cross his path. His reputation as a criminal mastermind precedes him, and many in the city know better than to mess with him.

Leo has a sharp mind and a strategic approach to everything he does. He's a master of deception, able to read people and situations with ease. Often being referred to as a control freak, Leo prides himself in over preparing for almost any situation. Despite his criminal activities, Leo is a charismatic and charming individual. He's a natural leader, able to inspire loyalty and respect from his criminal associates and business partners alike. He's also fiercely protective of those he cares about, willing to go to great lengths to keep them safe.

In public, Leo can often be found at high-end clubs and restaurants, surrounded by beautiful women and powerful men. He's always impeccably dressed, with tailored suits and designer shoes. But behind closed doors, he's a shrewd and calculating businessman, always thinking two steps ahead.

Many in Los Santos may view Leo as a ruthless criminal, but to those in his inner circle, he's a loyal friend and ally. He may have left behind his dreams of being a hero but Leo knew that in his world, being a hero meant something different. Leo fully embraced his role as a criminal mastermind, planning a vast criminal empire in Los Santos, using his criminal skills and strategic mind to stay one step ahead of the law and rivals. He knew that the stakes were higher in California, and that he would have to work harder than ever to stay on top. Even though what he was doing was wrong, he had found his true calling, and he was damn good at it. He may not have been the knight in shining armor he once aspired to be, but he was the protector of his own kingdom and he ruled it with an iron fist.

## History *(1958 - 1985)*

### A Deal With The Devil *(1958 - 1975)*

Leonzio "Leo" Santoro is an Italian-American born September 27th, 1958 in Ozone Park, Queens, NY. Growing up, he witnessed the harsh realities of life as his father died in the Vietnam war when he was just nine years old. Leo's mother had to work three jobs to support him and his younger brother. Despite their struggles, Leo was determined to make something of himself.

One day, while walking home from work, Leo's mother was mugged and beaten within an inch of her life. This event sparked a change in Leo. He tracked down the man responsible and in a fit of rage, beat him to death. Unfortunately, a police officer caught Leo with the body, and was about to arrest him until they were approached by a shadowy figure. A member of the local mafia, Luigi Caprio, was watching the whole incident and saw potential in Leo. He paid off the police officer and took Leo under his wing, offering him protection in exchange for his loyalty. Leo was hesitant at first, but the allure of power and protection from the dangerous world he lived in eventually swayed him. As Leo began to work his way up in the mafia, he found himself conflicted between his desire for success and his moral compass. He struggled to justify the violent acts he was forced to commit but found solace in the power he gained from being a part of the mafia.

### Friends in Low Places *(1975 - 1983)*

March 3rd, 1975, Leo met Rocco Russo. They became fast friends, bonding over their shared experiences growing up in Queens and their desire to escape their troubled lives. One day, Leo approached Rocco with an offer he couldn't refuse. He had connections to the local mafia and was looking for someone to help him with a few jobs. Over the next few weeks, Leo and Rocco worked together on a few small jobs for the mafia. They delivered packages, robbed houses, and did whatever else they were asked to do. As they worked together, Leo began to learn a lot from Rocco. He watched how Rocco interacted with people, using his charm and charisma to get what he wanted. Rocco knew how to read people, and he always seemed to know just what to say to get them to do what he wanted. Leo was fascinated by Rocco's ability to talk his way out of any situation.

As they worked together, Leo and Rocco became close friends. Unfortunately, not too long after the pair had begun working together Rocco's brother was killed in a botched robbery. This pushed Rocco to pursue a career in journalism and ultimately led to the two losing contact.

### The Call of The Coast *(1983 - 1984)*

December 5th 1983, he married his high school sweetheart. Up until then he had kept his relationship a secret in fear that it would be used against him. One years later, in 1984, Leo was given an opportunity to move to Los Santos, California, to help strengthen the mafia's control in the area. Ombra Nera had been losing ground to rival gangs and they needed someone with Leo's skillset to help turn the tide. Leo was initially hesitant to leave his old life behind, but the promise of more power and wealth was too powerful to ignore. Before he could leave for the West Coast, Leo had to tie up some loose ends back home. He spent the next few months preparing his affairs in Queens, making sure his mother was taken care of and that the mafia's operations would continue to run smoothly in his absence.

### A Debt Repaid *(1984 - 1985)*

February 21st 1984, Leo received a call from Luigi Caprio, the man who had saved him from going to jail 11 years ago. Luigi asked Leo to protect his nephew, Ciro Caprio, who was being targeted by his father, Frankie, the leader of a rival mafia family. Luigi made it clear that it was extremely important to find Ciro as fast as possible. Luigi told Leo that they were the only two remaining members of Ombra Nera, Frankie had killed most in an ambush and paid the cops to arrest the others. Due to Luigi's old age he made Leo the new Don of the Ombra Nera. Leo knew he had to act fast, so he started asking around and gathering information on Ciro's whereabouts. It wasn't long before he received word that Ciro had been stabbed in a dark alley by two guys sent by Frankie. After rushing to the alley, Leo grabbed Ciro and brought him back to his hotel room. There he stitched him up and later showed him around the city.

### Lost and Found *(1985 - Present)*

March 11th 1985, Leo had just finished his morning coffee and was browsing through the daily newspaper when he came across an article by Rocco Russo. It had been years since Leo had seen or heard from Rocco, and he couldn't resist the urge to reach out. He quickly rushed to Weazel News to see if Rocco was working. After a brief conversation Rocco agreed to meet for drinks later that day. Leo picked Rocco up from work and showed him around town before heading to the bar for some drinks.

As the night went on Rocco told Leo that he had lost his wallet. Leo first laughed but then yelled for Ciro Caprio. Leo knew that this was a regular trick of Ciro's and Ciro returned the wallet to Rocco. Ciro joined the two for drinks and Leo introduced them to one another. Ciro told the pair that a friend from the past was racing. As they were travelling to the race Ciro had proposed a bet to Leo, Ciro bet that his pal, Lorenzo Consiglio would lose. As the night went on they watched Lorenzo win with ease. Leo insisted on meeting Lorenzo due to the value of his skills. A young man by the name of Tommy Atuno was hanging around Lorenzo. After talking for a while the boys all started to realize that they were all extremely similar, young and driven to make a name for themselves. As weeks went on, Leo, invited Rocco, Lorenzo and Tommy to join him and Ciro in Ombra Nera. The three accepted and the dawn of a new era for Ombra Nera commenced.