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After Huey Long’s assassination in 1935, a wave of corruption called the ‘Louisiana Scandals’ swept state politics. Officials who promised to carry on Long’s programs to ‘share the wealth’ instead stole the wealth, tarnishing the public’s perception of the populist movement. Nationally, Long’s Share Our Wealth societies dwindled following the re-election of President Franklin Roosevelt.

Key Facts:

  • After Huey’s assassination, Louisiana politics became plagued by corruption and financial scandals.
  • Gov. Richard Leche continued Long’s programs but resigned in 1939 and was later convicted of kickbacks and mail fraud.
  • Seven officials were imprisoned, including LSU’s president, who misused university funds.
  • Huey’s brother, Lt. Gov. Earl Long, avoided scandal and became governor in 1939; he was elected governor in 1948 and 1956.
  • FDR halted investigations into Long’s machine, funneling federal funds to Louisiana in the “Second Louisiana Purchase.”
  • Without Huey’s leadership, Share Our Wealth declined, and opponents tried to link Long to later corruption.

Historical Timeline

Sep 1935
Huey Long assassinated: shot on Sept. 8 and dies Sept. 10 at age 42
Jan 28, 1936
Governor O.K. Allen dies one week after winning the Democratic primary for U.S. Senate
Feb 5, 1936
Gov. Jimmy Noe appoints Rose Long, Huey's widow, to the U.S. Senate
Apr 21, 1936
Rose Long wins special election for U.S. Senate, becomes second-ever elected female senator (after Hattie Caraway)
May 12, 1936
Richard Leche inaugurated La. governor; Huey's brother Earl Long becomes lt. governor
Jun 25, 1939
LSU president James Monroe Smith flees to Canada amid embezzlement charges, arrested in Ontario a week later
Jun 26, 1939
Gov. Leche resigns amid corruption investigations; Earl Long becomes governor
Feb 20, 1940
Earl Long loses Democratic primary to Sam Jones, who becomes governor
Jun 1940
Richard Leche convicted on federal charges of defrauding state, sentenced to 10 years in prison but paroled in 1945 and pardoned by Pres. Truman in 1953
Feb 24, 1948
Earl Long wins runoff election for La. governor, his second term
Jan 17, 1956
Earl Long wins Democratic primary and is elected to a third term as La. governor

Huey Long's trusted friend, O.K. Allen, was governor of Louisiana at the time of Long’s assassination in September 1935 and died shortly before his own term of office ended. Long supporter James A. Noe then served briefly as governor, finishing Allen's term.

The gubernatorial ticket of Judge Richard W. Leche (see bio below) and Huey's brother, Earl K. Long, for Lieutenant Governor won the 1936 election in a record-breaking landslide. They campaigned entirely on Huey's martyrdom, and took their oaths under a colossal portrait of the Kingfish. Like Allen and Noe, Governor Leche continued Huey Long's program of helping the poor, building more roads, bridges, hospitals, and schools, and providing free school supplies.

Unfortunately, before Governor Leche's term ended there was another kind of landslide – an avalanche of indictments. Without Huey Long's strong leadership to keep state officials in line, Louisiana's government descended into a free-for-all of corruption and graft.

Hundreds of government officials and businessmen were implicated in wrongdoing, and many were indicted. Millions in state funds were stolen. Ultimately, seven people were imprisoned including Governor Richard Leche, who served five years in federal prison for taking kickbacks on state purchases. LSU President Dr. James Monroe Smith forged LSU bonds and used them as collateral for his own personal investments. After fleeing to Canada, Smith served six years in prison for misusing state funds.

Upon Governor Leche's resignation in 1939, Earl Long served out his term of office. Earl Long was never implicated in wrongdoing and became an enormously popular political figure in his own right, successfully running for governor in 1948 and 1956 and expanding the work his brother began.

Altogether, twelve members of the Long family entered politics and held the public’s trust for decades — free from political corruption. The Long political dynasty numbers two governors, three U.S. Senators, four U.S. Representatives, three state legislators, and other state and local officials.

 



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