FALL RIVER, Mass. (WPRI) — A well-known attorney on Wednesday said his client came forward in 2013 with allegations of sexual misconduct against the Rev. Jay Mello, but that the diocese didn't take his accusations seriously until last year.

The Roman Catholic Diocese of Fall River announced Sunday that Mello had been placed on administrative leave after an internal investigation found "sufficient evidence" of sexual misconduct that warranted further examination. (The alleged conduct does not involve a minor.)

At a news conference Wednesday, attorney Mitchell Garabedian said his client was a victim and the diocese ignored initial accusations he made against Mello more than a decade ago. Garabedian's client, who has not been named, and Mello were both adults at the time.

"My client at the time was 28 years old," said Garabedian, who joined the news conference through Zoom, adding that he knows of one additional victim and suggesting there may be more.

"He was an adult," Garabedian said. "He trusted Father Mello and Father Mello took advantage of him sexually."

Diocesan officials said Mello has denied the allegations, and Fall River police have confirmed they are not involved in the matter at this time. No criminal charges have been announced.

Garabedian said his client reported the alleged behavior in 2013 to Acushnet police, who did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Garabedian also said his client may not be able to file a lawsuit against the church because of Massachusetts' statutes of limitations tied to sexual assault, and he called on people first to go to police if they have any issues with clergymen.

Garabedian has famously represented many victims of clergy sexual abuse, and is known for having been portrayed by actor Stanley Tucci in the Oscar-winning 2016 film "Spotlight."

"If anyone out there knows of a person that was sexually abused as an adult or child by a priest, report it to police," he said.

Diocese officials said they're continuing their internal investigation into Mello to determine whether he violated any church codes of conduct. The findings will be presented to the Ministerial Review Board, which advises the bishop on alleged misconduct by clergy.

Mello became pastor of St. Michael and St. Joseph parishes in 2016, but Garabedian said he was filling in at St. Francis Xavier in Acushnet in 2013 when the first alleged encounter happened. Garabedian said his client and Mello met at a convocation and shared a common interest in cooking.

Garabedian alleged Mello then invited his client to the rectory, where the alleged encounter happened.

"It's incumbent upon the Diocese of Fall River to renew the investigation concerning my client," he said.

Diocesan officials said Mello has been told not to publicly practice his priestly ministry, and they are currently seeking a temporary replacement for the churches. The schedule of Masses are not expected to be affected, they said.