DUBUQUE (IA)
KCRG-TV [Cedar Rapids IA]
December 18, 2025
By Jocelyn Peshia
A former Dubuque priest at the center of sexual abuse lawsuits has died – and now, an alleged victim is speaking out.
Father Leo Riley died Dec. 16 in Punta Gorda, Florida at the age of 69.
Fr. Riley was the associate pastor of Resurrection Catholic Church in Dubuque from 1984 to 1986.
He served at various churches in Florida from 2002 until 2023.
In July 2024, a judge dismissed sexual battery charges against Riley, here in Iowa, due to the expiration of the statute of limitations.
That October, three men filed civil lawsuits against Riley and the Archdiocese of Dubuque. The suits alleged that he sexually abused the men when they served as altar boys.
TV9’s sister station ABC7 WWSB in Sarasota, Florida spoke with an alleged victim, who asked to remain anonymous, about his reaction to Riley’s death.
“It’s conflicting, you never want to try to like, celebrate someone else’s passing, even in these heinous situations,” said the alleged victim to WWSB. “I would say it’s relief as much as anything. You know, one of the goals of the lawsuit was just that hopefully he would never be able to hurt anyone else again. And thankfully by his passing, that is a guarantee.“
The victim also called for other people with knowledge of the incidents to be held accountable.
According to WWSB, Riley’s death won’t impact an ongoing civil suit in Florida as the prosecuting attorney said “his testimony has been video recorded and will proceed as planned.”
WWSB reported that a Sarasota County judge cancelled the trial in a written order Wednesday, originally slated for March 2026, due to a “need for more discovery and unanticipated personal matter affecting an attorney or party.”
A suggestion of death has been filed in both Sarasota and Charlotte counties in Florida. Funeral arrangements have not been confirmed at this time.