Carlson Named Acting Director of VOA

San Diego millionaire Dick Carlson, who ran unsuccessfully against Roger Hedgecock for mayor of San Diego in 1984, has been named acting director of the Voice of America, a spokesman said Tuesday.

The 45-year-old former investigative journalist, who was orphaned at a young age but still managed to climb the professional and social ladder, was most recently director of the office of public liaison for the United States Information Agency.

The VOA is the international broadcasting arm of USIA and broadcasts more than 1,000 hours a week in more than 40 languages.

Carlson is a La Jolla resident and the husband of the former Patricia Swanson, an heiress to the Swanson frozen food fortune. He served six years as an executive at Great American Federal Savings Bank in San Diego before entering the race against Hedgecock, who was under indictment for conspiracy and perjury at the time.

Carlson, a political novice, was beaten easily by Hedgecock, who later resigned from office after being convicted of felony perjury and conspiracy.

As a television newsman, Carlson won many prestigious awards, including the Peabody, Headliners and Golden Mike honors, as well as three Emmys.

Carlson and another writer wrote an article for Look magazine that linked former San Francisco Mayor Joseph Alioto to the Mafia. Alioto called the article “character assassination for political purposes” and eventually won a $350,000 libel award. Carlson, however, was never named as a defendant in the complicated case.

The Reagan Administration is searching for a permanent director for the radio agency to replace Gene Pell, who left VOA in October to become president of Radio Free Europe-Radio Liberty.

As acting director, Carlson will not face Senate confirmation of his appointment.