DUBUQUE (IA)
ABC 7 [Sarasota, FL]
December 20, 2024
By ABC7 Staff
In the weeks after Father Leo Riley filed a motion to have another lawsuit dismissed in Charlotte County court, the Archdiocese of Dubuque has filed a similar request.
The Archdiocese states that Florida has no jurisdiction over a nonprofit organization in a different state and is asking the judge to dismiss the lawsuit filed. Attorneys point out that none of the cases in this recent suit are alleged to have occurred in Florida, rather the plaintiffs are from Iowa where criminal charges were dismissed against the Charlotte County priest. This claimed that Riley sexually abused five young boys in the 1980s.
Riley was a past priest at the Resurrection Church in Dubuque, Iowa. In Charlotte County, he was a Priest at Saint Charles Borromeo in Port Charlotte in the early 2000′s, and is currently assigned to San Antonio Catholic Church, also in Port Charlotte.
Following this case, civil lawsuits were filed in Charlotte County. The first plaintiff was a student at Borromeo school.
Since the first case, three new civil cases have been filed this week in Charlotte County, brought forward by anonymous altar boys from Iowa.
In the complaint, the plaintiff alleges Father Riley “sought and gained parental consent for Plaintiff to participate in counseling and other activities, and to spend time alone with him.”
The alleged victim says the abuse started in 1985, when Riley was the pastor at Resurrection Church in Dubuque, Iowa.
The criminal case against Riley in Iowa was dropped earlier this year because the statute of limitations had expired, which is why the attorney for the alleged victims is trying a new legal strategy and bringing the civil case down to Florida where the statute of limitations may be a little more lenient. However, both Riley and the Archdiocese are arguing that Florida law would prevent this.
The lawsuit includes six claims against Riley, including assault and battery, childhood sexual abuse, and fiduciary fraud. In his motion Riley denies the abuse, but also states that Iowa’s barring action regarding its statute of limitations is the same as Florida’s, meaning bringing the accusations forward would not be allowed under Florida law.
Prior coverage
Charlotte County priest arrested for capital sexual battery from time in Iowa
‘My name is John Doe:’ Former St. Charles Borromeo School student accuses priest of sexual abuse
Charlotte County priest bond reduced and can leave the state of Iowa
Prosecutors: Criminal case against Charlotte County priest dismissed
Father Leo Riley sits for deposition in sexual abuse lawsuit