CEDAR RAPIDS (IA)
KCRG-TV [Cedar Rapids IA]
July 11, 2024
By KCRG staff
The priest accused of sexually abusing boys at a Dubuque school in the 1980s has filed a motion asking for the judge to dismiss the charges against him.
In the motion, Father Leo Riley’s attorneys argue that the statute of limitations had expired before the charges against Riley were filed.
Riley is charged with five counts of sexual abuse. Prosecutors say he molested multiple altar boys while he served at Resurrection School in Dubuque from 1984-86. Riley’s attorneys argue in this latest motion, that the state would have needed to file charges against Riley before December 31st, 1989.
Riley was arrested last month in Florida, where he is serving at a Catholic Church. Riley is facing a lawsuit in Florida from a former student, who also claims Riley sexually abused him at a school there.
He initially faced public accusations of sexual abuse in 2015 when a former altar boy went public with his story. The Dubuque Archdiocese said it contacted the Dubuque County Attorney at the time but was told the statute of limitations had expired. Instead, the church says it investigated and concluded the accusations were unfounded.
According to court records, Dubuque Police launched its own investigation in 2023 when other former students came forward. At that time, the Catholic Church placed Riley on a leave of absence. Police say Riley denied the allegations and called the claims a “cash grab.”
Riley made his initial appearance in a Dubuque County Courtroom back in May.
His next hearing is set for July 15th, 2024.