Dubuque Man Claims Past Abuse from Priest

Siouxland Matters
March 24, 2015

http://www.siouxlandmatters.com/story/d/story/dubuque-man-claims-past-abuse-from-priest/27729/11YVB1KrskiCyAlVGMxQUA


A former Dubuque man says his priest abused him when he was a child at Resurrection School.

Jeff Buchheit says Father Leo Riley first abused him in 1985 before school during an early morning mass.

Buchheit was an altar boy at the church.

Father Riley is no longer with the Archdiocese of Dubuque. He's currently on administrative leave in a Florida parish during the ongoing investigation.

This morning in Waterloo, Buchheit and his attorney spoke with reporters about the allegations.

He didn't go into detail, saying his decision to come forward is more about moving forward and not going back in time.

"It's been a difficult journey but coming forward and saying what I wasn't able to say for so long," says Bucheit. "That's really what was the first step for me in healing and to be able to have just a calm and happy life."

Buchhiet says he will continue to heal while raising awareness of abuse and protecting kids.

In 2013, the Archdiocese of Dubuque paid five point two million dollars to settle sexual abuse claims with 26 people.