Three new lawsuits filed against accused former Dubuque priest

DUBUQUE, Iowa (KCRG/WWSB) – Three new civil cases are being filed against the Catholic Archdiocese of Dubuque and a former Dubuque priest accused of sexually abusing boys.

Three new civil lawsuits were filed this week in Charlotte County, Fla., by anonymous Iowa boys claiming Leo Riley sexually abused them in Dubuque in the 1980s.

Riley now works at a congregation in Florida. He appeared last month for a decision in a separate trial there from a John Doe claiming Riley sexually abused him in Florida.

In the complaint, plaintiff alleges that Father Riley “sought and obtained parental consent for plaintiff to participate in counseling and other activities and to spend time alone with him.”

He goes on to say that Riley would force the minor to drink alcohol and then engage in harmful and illegal sexual contact with the complainant.

The alleged victim says the abuse began in 1985, when Riley was pastor at Resurrection Church in Dubuque, Iowa.

The charges mirror a criminal case filed in Dubuque against Riley in April on five counts of sexual abuse. That case was dismissed because the statute of limitations had expired.

The lawsuit includes six claims against Riley, including assault and battery, childhood sexual abuse and fiduciary fraud.