An Alabama man who spent nearly $400,000 at a casino using money stolen from his elderly mother pleaded guilty to securities fraud in connection with the scheme, prosecutors announced Monday.

Chad Svenby, 44, of Deatsville, secured power of attorney over his mother to withdraw $400,000 from her accounts from March 2017 to February 2018, said CJ Robinson, district attorney for the 19th Judicial Circuit of Alabama, and Alabama Securities Commission Director Amanda Senn.

Svenby claimed he was his mother’s caretaker to obtain the power of attorney.

Before Svenby got power of attorney, a protection order was filed against him due to “harassing behavior” toward his mother, prosecutors said.

While Svenby claimed the $400,000 in withdrawals were for his mother’s benefit, most of it was spent at a casino and on himself.

Prosecutors did not say which casino Svenby spent his mother’s money but thanked Prattville police and Wind Creek Casino “for their cooperation and assistance throughout the investigation.” The casino has locations in Wetumpka and Atmore.

Svenby’s crime was discovered when he tried to change his mother’s will, raising suspicion of his conduct toward his mother with legal authorities, who contacted law enforcement.

Svenby’s mother died in September 2019.

Elmore County Circuit Court Judge Amanda Baxley scheduled Svenby’s sentencing for May 1.