Archdiocese of Dubuque Dismissed from Civil Sexual Assault Lawsuit Against Florida Priest
According to a report from KCRG ABC News, the Archdiocese of Dubuque has been released from a civil sexual abuse lawsuit against a former Florida priest. Leo Riley was serving as a priest in Florida until last year. He has been sued by three men who allege that they were victims of sexual abuse while Leo Riley was a priest in Iowa in the 1980s. There is a jurisdictional dispute in this case. In this article, our West Palm Beach civil sexual assault and battery attorney provides a more comprehensive overview of the latest news in the disturbing case.
Background: Allegations Against Leo Riley
First and foremost, it is important to understand the specific allegations against Leo Riley. Father Riley is accused by multiple people who served as altar boys at Resurrection Parish in Dubuque, Iowa of engaging in non-consensual, harmful sexual acts. Father Riley was in the position between 1984 and 1986. Here is an example of what is alleged in the disturbing lawsuits:
- One claim contends that Father Riley “sought and gained parental consent for [the plaintiff] to participate in counseling and spend time alone with him” only to later allegedly force alcohol on the boy and engage in abusive sexual contact.
Understanding the Jurisdictional Issues in the Case
Beginning in July of 2020, civil sexual abuse lawsuits were filed in Florida’s 12th Judicial Circuit in Charlotte County. They named Father Leo Riley, the Archdiocese of Venice, and the Archdiocese of Dubuque as defendants. Since that time, several other complaints have been filed and Father Riley was even arrested and charged with felony criminal offenses in Iowa. However, the Iowa criminal case was dismissed based on a statute of limitations defense.
An Overview of the Jurisdictional Challenges and the Dismissal of the Civil Case
There have been major jurisdictional issues in the civil case in Florida. Under the Due Process Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment, Florida courts must establish one of the following:
- General Jurisdiction: The defendant’s continuous and systematic contacts with Florida.
- Specific Jurisdiction: The lawsuit arises out of or relates to the defendant’s contacts with Florida.
As the alleged sexual abuse occurred in Iowa, defendants moved for a dismissal. Iowa has a much shorter statute of limitations for these cases. That is why the plaintiffs opted to bring a claim in Florida, which is where Father Leo Riley preached for many years. However, as confirmed in reporting from KCRG ABC News, the Archdiocese of Dubuque has been released from a civil sexual abuse lawsuit. For now, the civil claim against Father Riley is still ongoing.
Consult With Our Florida Sexual Assault Lawyer for Victims Today
At Pike & Lustig, LLP, our West Palm Beach civil sexual assault attorney has the professional experience that victims can trust. If you or your loved one was the victim of sexual assault, we can help you navigate all aspects of a civil claim. Contact us today for a free, no obligation case review. With offices in West Palm Beach and Miami, we serve communities throughout South Florida.
Source:
kcrg.com/2025/06/09/archdiocese-dubuque-dismissed-lawsuit-regarding-father-leo-riley/
