DUBUQUE (IA)
KWWL-TV, NBC-7 [Waterloo IA]
February 19, 2025
By Terra Konieczny
New details are coming to light in three civil lawsuits against the Archdiocese of Dubuque and former priest Leo Riley.
The plaintiffs, who filed these lawsuits in Charlotte County, Florida, where Riley now lives, allege the abuse happened in Dubuque in the 1980s.
The Florida Chapter of the Survivors Network of Those Abused by Priests (SNAP) is sharing insight on why these victims are coming forward decades later.
Florida SNAP leader Sally Zakhari said, “Maybe you don’t even see the trauma, but decades later, it hits you.”
The amended complaint filed this week states that the plaintiffs did not fully recall the abuse until April 2023 due to repressed memories. The Florida SNAP Chapter says this is common in childhood sexual abuse cases, even when the abuse happened nearly 40 years ago.
Zakhari added, “It takes decades of us living with this trauma not knowing where its coming from. I believe that the moment a child is sexually abused, even if its just one time, the are changed forever.”
The updated complaint withdrew a claim for punitive damages but still accuses Riley of three counts relating to the sexual abuse of altar boys at Resurrection Parish in Dubuque. It also alleges five counts against the Archdiocese of Dubuque, claiming they knew or should have known about the abuse and failed to disclose it.
Zakhari elaborated, “Its a shame that the reputation of the church and the reputation of priesthood is put above the safety of protecting children. I mean it’s really scary how churches and religious institutions are handling sexual abuse cases.”
Zakhari, who was abused by a clergy member in the late 1990s, joined SNAP to help other survivors. She says the “Me Too” movement gave more survivors the courage to speak out.
She added, “Since 2002, SNAP has been in the media raising awareness about clergy sexual abuse. When the ‘Me Too’ movement started I think it just boosted that and encouraged even more people to speak up with the power of social media. I think it really encouraged a lot of survivors to come forward and say, ‘Me Too.'”
KWWL has reached out to Riley’s attorneys, as well as attorneys of the plaintiffs, but did not hear back.