Naples Priest Accused of Child Molestation

By Melissa Montoya
The News-Press
March 13, 2015

http://www.news-press.com/story/news/local/2015/03/13/naples-priest-accused-child-molestation/70297364/


A Naples priest has been placed on administrative leave pending an investigation into child molestation accusation stemming from 30 years ago.

The accusation against The Rev. Leo Riley, a priest at St. Peter the Apostle Catholic Church on Rattlesnake Hammock Road, began in December in the Archdiocese of Dubuque in Iowa.

According to John Robbins, director of communications for the Archdiocese of Dubuque, the alleged child molestation took place in 1985 when Riley was an associate pastor at a parish there.

In February, the Archdiocese of Dubuque Review Board advised Archbishop Michael Jackels that accusations were “not manifestly false or frivolous.”

“This does not mean that Father Riley is guilty, but merely that he and the alleged victim were at the parish at that time,” Robbins said in an email.

A preliminary investigation was opened by the archdiocese after it was confirmed no criminal investigation would take place because of the statute of limitations.

In a statement, the Diocese of Venice said it was notified in December by Dubuque church authorities of the accusations against Riley.

“Father Riley strenuously denies that the allegation is true and maintains he is innocent,” the statement reads.

He has been placed on paid administrative leave since Dec. 19 pending the preliminary investigation into allegations in Dubuque.

Parishes where Riley has served within the Diocese of Venice have been notified. No accusations have been made against him, according to the statement.

According to a church bulletin, Riley was assigned to the Naples church in June 2013. He was ordained a priest three years before the alleged molestation occurred in 1982. He transferred to the Diocese of Venice in 2002, first as a parochial vicar at St. Charles Borromeo of Port Charlotte and in 2009 at the Sacred Heart Parish of Punta Gorda.

“The Diocese of Venice remains committed to a zero tolerance policy for sexual abuse of a minor or a vulnerable adult,” the statement reads. “Anyone who believes that he or she has been a victim of sexual misconduct by someone serving in ministry for the Diocese of Venice, or any organization, should contact the Florida Department of Children and Families.: