Crossword Genius

Green state imposed penalty probing corrupt sales (9)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

leafiness

'green state' is the definition.

'imposed penalty probing corrupt sales' is the wordplay.
'imposed penalty' becomes 'fine'.
'probing' means one lot of letters goes inside another (probe can mean to make a hole in).
'corrupt' indicates an anagram.
'sales' anagrammed gives 'leass'.
'fine' going inside 'leass' is 'LEAFINESS'.

(Other definitions for leafiness that I've seen before include "green growth" , "Forest will uphold such" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.
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