Improprieties by Chief of Agriculture Alleged

Two public interest groups asked Thursday for an investigation of state agriculture chief Henry Voss, saying Voss failed to accurately report farm income and property and may have conflicts of interest.

The two groups said Californians had the right to know whether Voss had “accurately reported his holdings of real estate, his sources of income and whether he has properly disqualified himself from governmental decisions which could materially affect his income and expenses.”

Consumers Union and Common Cause filed a complaint with the Fair Political Practices Commission asking for a probe. Voss could be fined by the FPPC if the panel decides he violated financial disclosure or conflict-of-interest requirements.

A spokeswoman said Voss was out of town and could not be reached for reaction.

Two possible incidents of conflict were cited:

* A 1994 cling peach marketing order issued by the state Department of Food and Agriculture. The two groups contend that farmers use marketing orders to keep prices high by restricting the amount of produce reaching consumers. Voss, the department’s chief, is a peach grower.

* A letter from Voss to Assemblyman Ross Johnson (R-Fullerton) opposing legislation that would have allowed farmers to sell smaller, blemished fruit to consumers at reduced prices.

“We believe that Mr. Voss receives income from his peach-growing operation and thus has a financial interest in government decisions affecting the marketing of peaches,” the two groups said in their complaint.

“Any action Secretary Voss may have taken with regard to decisions to set grade, maturity and size regulations affecting cling peach producers would appear to be inappropriate.”

Consumers Union and Common Cause also said that Voss had not fully disclosed his farm-related holdings, including equipment he reported selling in 1991, a peach orchard and investment income from agribusiness interests.