Richmond insisted his decision to resign after just four months was down to 'personal and family reasons'.
The Sun reports however that he decided to resign after finding the gates on his driveway padlocked with the message 'Get out of Leeds, now' pinned to them.
A close source said: "This was done over the weekend. David woke up to find his gates had been chained and messages put up. David doesn’t deserve this. He has worked long and hard since becoming the club’s MD. None of what has happened at the club is his fault.
"You can understand him wanting to bale out. Why should he or his family have to put up with that?"
This is the second time Richmond has been targeted.
When Leeds despatched a 20-year season ticket offer last season signed by him, lots were sent back defaced or scrawled with obscene messages.
Another close source added: "It’s hardly a surprise because the Richmond name is despised among Leeds fans. David is tainted by the reputation of his father, who was at Bradford as they ran up debts of £36million. It's a shame. David is an innocent victim in all this."
Geoffrey Richmond was an unpaid advisor after Gerald Krasner and his consortium took control of Leeds in March.
But he cut all ties with the club because of the depth of feeling against him by some Leeds followers.
John Boocock, chairman of Leeds United Supporters’ Trust said: "Geoffrey Richmond was always seen by fans as being a problem. It was a big mistake by Krasner to involve him in any shape or form.
"David Richmond was booed off the Elland Road pitch at our final home game last season as he tried to address fans over the loudspeakers. That has never happened before in all my time supporting this club.
"Since Krasner and his group came to power many of their decisions haven’t gone down well with the fans, like selling James Milner to Newcastle after we were assured he was the future of this club. Now Krasner has said Elland Road is for sale.
"Perhaps that was the final straw for some fans and they decided to make Richmond the scapegoat. If fans are responsible for padlocking Richmond’s gates, then it is pathetic and doesn’t help Leeds at all."