A former Dallas Housing Authority (DHA) maintenance supervisor was sentenced last week to two years in federal prison after admitting he spent nearly five years using the agency to steal half a million dollars in federal housing funds.
Joel Ipina, 50, was sentenced on May 21 by District Judge Jane Boyle, who also ordered him to pay $473,641 in restitution, according to a press release from the Department of Justice (DOJ). Ipina first pleaded guilty in November 2025 to “theft concerning programs that receive government funds.”
Ipina worked at the Dallas Housing Authority for nearly 30 years, from 1995 until 2024. In his role as a maintenance supervisor, he had the authority to approve work orders and chose contractors for maintenance on the properties he oversaw.
The DOJ claims that, starting in August of 2019 – and continuing through February 2024, Ipina steered maintenance contracts to a company he secretly owned and controlled, never disclosing that ownership to the DHA. To ensure his company won the bids, he would go as far as to submit fake competing bids that made his firm appear to be the lowest or most qualified option for the city.
In some instances, the DHA was even reportedly charged for work projects that never existed.
The DHA receives federal funding through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, meaning Ipina’s theft scheme siphoned money intended to provide housing services to low-income Dallas residents.
“This defendant abused a position of trust to steal public funds intended to serve the Dallas community,” said Attorney Ryan Raybould. “This sentence reflects our commitment to protecting taxpayer-funded programs and holding accountable those who exploit them.”
Acting Special Agent in Charge Aaron McCullough pointed out the bigger picture beyond just the money. He said Ipina’s actions didn’t just divert nearly $500,000 that was supposed to go toward housing services for vulnerable people – they also locked legitimate businesses out of competing fairly for those contracts.
“HUD OIG will continue to work with its law enforcement partners to diligently pursue and hold accountable individuals who take advantage of their positions of trust and misuse public funds,” McCullough added.
