A Melville-based attorney has been accused of stealing over $413,000 designated for a client’s real estate loan payoff.

Authorities say Michael Tulchiner was hired to represent the client during the closing of the transaction.

He was given a refinance loan, part of which he was only authorized to use as payment required for the property sale.

Investigators say an analysis of his bank account revealed that he spent the money on his law firm and other unrelated expenses.

Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney called the allegation against Tulchiner “a gross violation of the trust that the victim placed in him as an attorney and a fiduciary.”

Prosecutors say he has pleaded not guilty. If convicted, he faces up to 15 years in prison.