SARASOTA (FL)
ABC 7 [Sarasota, FL]
April 26, 2024
By Melissa Ratliff and Jordan Litwiller
Attorneys with Mallard Perez are challenging the accuracy of a statement provided by the Diocese of Venice, stating that another allegation was known prior to other recent reports.
Damian Mallard, a partner of the Mallard Perez law offices, urged other potential victims of Reverend Leo Riley to come forward. Father Riley is currently facing accusations out of the state of Iowa.
Detectives from the Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office Major Case Unit worked with the Dubuque, Iowa Police Department to arrest Leo P. Riley at his Port Charlotte home on Wednesday.
Dubuque Police Department had developed probable cause for five counts of capital sexual battery within their jurisdiction.
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.
“John Doe” stepped forward at the press conference to give a brief statement.
“My name is John Doe. As a child, I attended St. Charles school in Port Charlotte where Father Leo Riley repeatedly abused me for years. I never told anybody back then. He said if I told, he would do to my sister what he was doing to me. I buried these memories too deep but I couldn’t keep them buried forever. When they started coming back in flashes and nightmares, I knew I needed to do something so that Riley would not hurt anyone else,” John Doe told reporters.
Attorneys say that the abuse had occurred when he was a Pre-K-8th grade student at St. Charles Borromeo.
Attorney Mallard explained that Father Riley was placed on administrative leave in 2023. He said that other documented instances of abuse were known by the Diocese and that “John Doe” filed a civil lawsuit in July of 2020. Riley was not removed during this time.
“What is very troubling to my client, is the statement released by the Diocese of Venice yesterday claiming that Leo Riley was ‘immediately’ placed on administrative leave upon learning of another allegation against Father Riley. This statement is at best misleading, if not inaccurate,” Mallard said.
Mallard is encouraging anyone else who may be a victim to come forward to seek resources. He also stated that his client wanted to speak with any survivors to let them know what happened was not their fault.
In the timeline provided, Mallard states that days after the Boston Globe Spotlight column that exposed sex abuse within the Catholic Church was published, Father Riley requested to be assigned to Parishes in Naples and Port Charlotte, Fla.
Attorney Mallard explained that Father Riley was placed on administrative leave in 2023. He said that other documented instances of abuse were known by the Diocese and that “John Doe” filed a civil lawsuit in July of 2020. Riley was not removed during this time.
“What is very troubling to my client, is the statement released by the Diocese of Venice yesterday claiming that Leo Riley was ‘immediately’ placed on administrative leave upon learning of another allegation against Father Riley. This statement is at best misleading, if not inaccurate,” Mallard said.
Mallard is encouraging anyone else who may be a victim to come forward to seek resources. He also stated that his client wanted to speak with any survivors to let them know what happened was not their fault.
In the timeline provided, Mallard states that days after the Boston Globe Spotlight column that exposed sex abuse within the Catholic Church was published, Father Riley requested to be assigned to Parishes in Naples and Port Charlotte, Fla.
The Diocese of Venice remains committed to doing all that can reasonably be done to protect children and vulnerable adults. Anyone who believes that he or she has been the victim of sexual misconduct by someone serving in ministry for the Diocese of Venice, or any organization, should contact law enforcement officials. The Diocese of Venice provides a Victim Assistance Coordinator, who can be reached at 941-416-6114.”
Riley’s first appearance was in Charlotte County Friday morning where he was granted a bond of $100,000.