The Matranga family was the most prominent gang in early Los Angles organized crime scene, and was run by relatives of Charles Matranga, founder of the New Orleans crime family. Their legitimate business was in fruit vending. Otherwise they used threats, violence, arson and extortion to control the Plaza area, which was the heart of the Italian American community of Los Angeles at the time. Its first leader was Sam Matranga who started leading the family in 1905. Sam's relatives Salvatore Matranga, Pietro "Peter" Matranga, and Antonio "Tony" Matranga were other members of the gang. The Matrangas were the dominant force in Los Angeles, until a feud between the Matranga brothers and Joseph Ardizzone and his gang led to the murder of some of the brothers and their eventual downfall.