A former Dallas Housing Authority maintenance supervisor was sentenced to two years in federal prison for theft involving programs receiving government funds.
DALLAS — A former maintenance supervisor with the Dallas Housing Authority has been sentenced to two years in federal prison for orchestrating a yearslong scheme that stole nearly half a million dollars in taxpayer-funded housing money, federal officials announced Wednesday.
Joel Ipina, 50, pleaded guilty in November 2025 to theft concerning programs receiving government funds. U.S. District Judge Jane J. Boyle sentenced him May 21 and ordered him to pay $473,641 in restitution.
Investigators said Ipina worked for the Dallas Housing Authority from 1995 until 2024. In his role, he approved maintenance work orders and selected contractors for repairs and projects tied to housing properties funded through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
Federal prosecutors said that between August 2019 and February 2024, Ipina secretly directed maintenance contracts to a company he owned and controlled. Authorities said he created fake competing bids to ensure his company won contracts and also had the DHA pay for work that was never performed.
HUD Office of Inspector General officials said the scheme diverted money intended to support housing services for vulnerable residents while also undermining legitimate contractors competing for DHA work.
DHA issued the following statement following the sentencing:
DHA takes the stewardship of the federally funded programs we operate and upholding the public’s trust very seriously.
This case of stolen public funds by a former maintenance staff member was identified through our internal controls and we engaged an independent auditor to confirm the suspicious activity. Once the comprehensive audit determined that fraud was in fact being committed, we reported the matter to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Office of Inspector General, which referred the case to the U.S. Department of Justice.
We applaud our federal agencies for supporting DHA in this investigation and bringing the case to resolution. Our collaboration has resulted in restitution of funds that were stolen and time in prison for the perpetrator.
We want to make it clear that the stolen funds did not impact our program participants’ ability to access affordable housing programs. Stolen funds were from a specific construction and maintenance budget allocation.
DHA has zero tolerance for fraud. We will continue to be vigilant. If anyone suspects fraudulent activity related to DHA and/or its programs, please share the information via our website.
We appreciate our staff, the HUD’s Office of Inspector General, and the Department of Justice acting swiftly on this matter. Together we have brought this issue to light and justice for the perpetrator.