Father Leo Riley and Archdiocese of Dubuque Seek to Have Civil Sexual Abuse Lawsuit Dismissed (Filed in Florida County Court)
According to ABC 7 Suncoast News, Father Leo Riley and the Archdiocese of Dubuque are seeking to have a civil sexual abuse lawsuit that was recently filed by a victim in Charlotte County, Florida dismissed for lack of jurisdiction. Father Riley stands accused of sexually abusing five young boys in Dubuque, Iowa in the 1980s. Since the early 2000s, Father Riley has been a priest at two different Catholic churches in Port Charlotte. In this article, our West Palm Beach civil sexual assault lawyer discuss the allegations in more detail.
Allegations: Sexual Abuse By Priest in Iowa (Spent Many Years in Port Charlotte, Florida)
As noted in reporting from ABC 7 Suncoast News, Father Leo Riley—a Catholic priest—has faced multiple allegations of sexual abuse spanning several decades. In the 1980s, while serving in Dubuque, Iowa, he was accused of abusing altar boys. These allegations resurfaced in 2023. In April of 2024, Father Riley was arrested on criminal charges related to these incidents that allegedly happened in the 1980s. A civil lawsuit was filed against Father Riley in Florida in 2020. However, despite that fact, he continued to act as a Priest in Port Charlotte until May of 2023. At that time, Father Riley was put on administrative leave. For his part, he has denied any wrongdoing.
Father Riley and Archdiocese of Dubuque Have Moved for Dismissal of Civil Lawsuit
As noted, Father Leo Riley was arrested in Florida in 2023. That case is still currently pending. He is also subject to multiple civil lawsuits for sexual abuse. Notably, the Archdiocese of Dubuque has also been named in a civil sexual abuse lawsuit in Florida. Both defendants have move for a dismissal of a recent sexual abuse lawsuit filed in Charlotte County. The following two defenses have been raised:
- Lack of Jurisdiction: The Archdiocese contends that, as an Iowa-based nonprofit organization, it falls outside the jurisdiction of Florida courts. They argue that the alleged abuses occurred in Iowa during the 1980s, and therefore, Florida lacks the authority to adjudicate these matters. Father Riley argues that any personal misconduct that happened in Iowa cannot be adjudicated in a civil court in Florida
- Statute of Limitations: Both Father Leo Riley and the Archdiocese assert that the statute of limitations for these allegations has expired in Iowa. They further argue that Florida’s “borrowing statute” would apply to Iowa’s statute of limitations—which would similarly bar these claims in Florida courts.
Consult With Our Florida Sexual Assault Victims Rights Lawyer Today
At Pike & Lustig, LLP, we fight for justice, accountability, and the maximum compensation for the victims of sexual violence. If you have any questions about a civil sexual abuse claim, please do not hesitate to call us today to set up a free, confidential initial case evaluation. With an office in Palm Beach County and Miami-Dade County, our firm serves clients throughout South Florida.
Source:
mysuncoast.com/2024/12/20/archdiocese-dubuque-seeks-dismissal-lawsuit-connection-with-charlotte-county-priest/
