The Mattapoisett Housing Authority and its Executive Director Louise Sousa have been slammed again with allegations of misconduct, this time from the state.

But at a special meeting on Tuesday afternoon, the housing authority responded to the claims calling them a “ploy” by the Massachusetts Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD.)

DHCD sent a letter to Sousa on Aug. 30 stating that there have been “many disconcerting issues with the operations of the MHA that have been ongoing for a number of years.”

Those issues include maintenance, repairs, tenant relations, operating budgets, and general business practices. Tenants of the senior housing development Village Court have made complaints on several issues in recent years, many of which are outlined in a state audit published in June of this year.

Members of the housing authority said they were caught off guard by the allegations, and found out about them in the local media.

DeMello and state appointee Chuck McCullough said they did not receive Heyer’s letter in the mail until Tuesday, postmarked Sept. 4. McCullough did request a copy from Heyer via email.

“I do think the print press was used as a pawn in a much larger conspiracy to discredit Louis Sousa,” said McCullough.

He called Sousa’s treatment “shameful” and said only half of the story has been told.

“What I believe is happening is the continuing character assassination and slander of our executive director by DHCD and others,” McCullough said.

But former Village Court resident Roberta Tripp agreed with the findings of the state, which were revealed after the Facilities and Housing Management staff discovered several problems during a visit in late August.

Tripp lead the formation of a tenants association in June 2012, although housing authority Chair Margaret DeMello said the group was never officially certified.

“We decided to form a real tenants’ association to keep everything on the up and up, and to help the tenants,” Tripp said in 2012.

In April, she moved to a new residence in New Bedford. “I just couldn’t stay there any longer,” said Tripp.

She said bullying and the many issues left unaddressed contributed to her decision to leave. Following her departure, Tripp said the tenants’ association disbanded. Tripp, who still visits friends at Village Court, said people fear eviction if they speak out.

“I’m lucky. I had options. A lot of elderly people do not have options. They’re afraid,” she said.

Heyer’s letter said the management staff found that Sousa’s computer has been removed to her residence and that “work hours of the executive director are unscheduled and reported to be worked at home or late night at the office,” stated the letter, written by DHCD Associate Director of the Division of Public Housing and Rental Assistance Lisbeth Heyer.

The housing authority had until Wednesday, Sept. 4 to return the computer and any property of the Mattapoisett Housing Authority to the office, located at Village Court. The executive director also had to work during her regular hours onsite beginning Sept. 4.

On Friday, Sept. 6 Matthew T. Sheaff, director of communications for DHCD, said those two issues were resolved.

The third issue cited was in relation to a tenant who was displaced for more than a month due to a plumbing leak.

“The person has moved back into their apartment. Were able to get a turnaround to get the parts ordered,” said Sheaff.

But Heyer wrote that these problems are part of a “pattern of mismanagement.”

Despite three years of oversight, “the MHA continues to be unresponsive to its maintenance needs,” wrote Heyer.

McCullough, however, said DCHD is the unresponsive party and repeated requests for information have gone unanswered.

“Our requests to get involved in day to day requests have been pushed back,” he said.

More than a dozen Village Court residents attended the meeting, none of whom voiced support for Heyer’s letter.

“I’ve been here twelve years. I never had a problem,” said Nancy Kubik.

Sheaff said the Mattapoisett Housing Authority and representatives from the state agency will meet soon.

“Our goal here is to work together with the board. Our number one priority is the tenants,” said Sheaff.