Legal issues are not over for a former northeast Iowa priest who avoided trial earlier this year on accusations he sexually abused altar boys some four decades ago.
Father Leo Riley was accused of abusing young boys during his time with the Archdiocese of Dubuque in the 1980s and faced five counts of second-degree sexual abuse. He pleaded not guilty before a Dubuque County District Court judge ruled the statute of limitations to prosecute Riley had run out and the case was dismissed.
Despite the decision, Assistant Dubuque County Attorney Joshua Sims said there was no doubt Riley had committed the alleged acts.
Last Week, three new civil cases were filed against Riley in Charlotte County, Florida, brought forward by anonymous altar boys from Iowa, also claiming Riley sexually abused them in Dubuque in the 1980s.
In one of the complaints against Riley, plaintiff “John Doe” alleges Father Riley, who now works at a congregation in Florida, “sought and gained parental consent for Plaintiff to participate in counseling and other activities, and to spend time alone with him.”
The court document also claims Riley would force the minor to drink alcohol and then engage in harmful and illegal sexual contact with the plaintiff. The alleged victim says the abuse started in 1985, when Riley was the pastor at Resurrection Church in Dubuque.
Father Riley’s assignment history included Immaculate Conception Church in Charles City from 1986 to 1990. From 1982 through 1999, he also served at parishes in Cresco, Schley, Roseville, Buffalo Center, Woden, Forest City, Lake Mills, Clermont, Postville, Dougherty, Rockford, and Rockwell.
