Venice bishop allowed accused priest to keep working

PORT CHARLOTTE — When Bishop Frank Dewane of the Diocese of Venice received a lawsuit accusing a Port Charlotte priest of sexually abusing a minor in 2020, Dewane allowed him to continue working.

Last week, that priest, Leo Riley, was arrested on five counts of capital sexual battery.

Four alleged victims said Riley molested them while they were altar boys in Dubuque, Iowa in the mid-1980s.

The diocese released a statement that said while Riley was not put on leave for the 2020 lawsuit, the diocese did put him on leave when they heard of the new, Iowa-based allegations in May 2023.

In a letter to parishioners at San Antonio Catholic Church in Deep Creek, where Riley served as a pastor from 2018 until his suspension in 2023, Dewane attempted to address concerns about the arrest and lawsuit.

The lawsuit, filed in Sarasota County Court in 2020, alleges Riley and music teacher Alan Klispie sexually abused the victim, referred to as “John Doe,” while he was a student at St. Charles Borromeo in Port Charlotte.

Dewane said the diocese, upon receipt of the lawsuit, notified the State Attorney’s Office.

“At the time the civil lawsuit was received, the factual allegations therein were inaccurate and contradictory,” Dewane wrote. “The plaintiff has since changed his allegations and the litigation is still pending.”

Dewane reiterated Riley denies all allegations.

“As your Bishop, I would like to assure you that the Diocese of Venice takes these matters seriously and remains committed to doing its utmost to protect children and vulnerable adults,” he wrote.

Following Riley’s arrest, the plaintiff in the civil suit held a news conference in Sarasota on Friday to reiterate his claims.

In the lawsuit, the alleged victim claims he went to Riley, who came to St. Charles in 2002 from Iowa, for help to protect him from abuse from music teacher Alan Klispie that had started around 1994 or 1995.

“After receiving the report of the abuse, instead of putting a stop to it, Riley began participating in the abuse by physically assault(ing) and repeatedly raping John Doe,” the lawsuit claims.

He claims Riley and Klispie threatened to rape and beat his sister if he told anyone about the abuse.

He also claims Riley told him about the church’s history of “self-flagellation” to purge people of sin, and that the “beatings and rape were being perpetrated to purify (the alleged victim).”

The lawsuit names Riley and Klispie as defendants, along with the Diocese of Venice.

The case is still pending, according to court records.

Charlotte County Sheriff Bill Prummell stated he is concerned more victims may exist and stated anyone who may have been victimized should contact authorities.

“If the accusations are true, then we have had a sexual predator living among us in Charlotte County that was trusted by far too many people simply because of his position,” he said Thursday.

Prummell said it is “likely” that there are more victims. He said anyone who came forward could help ensure "this type of heinous thing" doesn't happen to others.

“It doesn’t matter when it happened; but what does matter is that the truth needs to be shared and justice needs to be served," he said. "We stand with you.”

Anyone with information about Riley or who is a victim of these types of crimes can contact the Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office at 941-639-2101.

In his letter to parishioners, Dewane encouraged anyone who has been a victim of sexual misconduct by someone working for the diocese to contact law enforcement at 1-800-962-2873.

The diocese also has a victim assistance coordinator who can be reached at 941-416-6114.