Richard W. Leche

Richard W. Leche
44th Governor of Louisiana
In office
May 12, 1936 – June 26, 1939
LieutenantEarl K. Long
Preceded byJames A. Noe
Succeeded byEarl K. Long
Personal details
Born(1898-05-17)May 17, 1898
New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S.
DiedFebruary 22, 1965(1965-02-22) (aged 66)
New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S.
Resting placeMetairie Cemetery
Political partyDemocratic
SpouseElton Reynolds
Alma materTulane University (BA)
Loyola University New Orleans (LLB)
ProfessionLawyer
Military service
Allegiance United States
Branch/service United States Army
Battles/warsWorld War I

Richard Webster Leche (May 17, 1898 – February 22, 1965) was an American attorney, judge, and politician, elected as the 44th Governor of the U.S. state of Louisiana. He served from 1936 until 1939, when he resigned. Convicted on federal charges of misuse of federal funds, Leche was the first Louisiana chief executive to be imprisoned.