The Prosecutor's Office is investigating the Vice President of Vox in Mallorca for the alleged fraudulent use of official cars

The Office of Public Prosecution has initiated an investigation into Pedro Bestard, second vice-president of the Council of Mallorca and a member of Vox, over alleged misuse of official vehicles. The probe was launched following a complaint filed by the Socialist Group within the regional government, which accuses Bestard of systematically using public vehicles for private purposes and allegedly misusing funds allocated for their operation. According to the complaint, Bestard is suspected of committing offenses including embezzlement of public funds, abuse of authority, and forgery of documents. The allegations stem from reports that several official vehicles used by Bestard were found parked at his residence, raising concerns about their usage outside of institutional premises. Bestard initially defended his actions, stating that the vehicles were taken home “for resource efficiency” after long working days or multiple events, and that some trips included horse racing events and meetings not listed in his schedule. The Socialist Group has requested that the prosecution investigate how Bestard utilized the vehicles assigned to his department of Environment, Rural Affairs, and Sports, and whether the associated travel and expenses complied with regulations. They have also asked for statements from key officials, including the technical secretary of his department, the secretary-general, and the institution’s auditor. Additionally, they have called for all documentation related to these vehicles, administrative files, travel records, fuel consumption logs, maintenance invoices, and location tracking, to be incorporated into the investigation. The group specifically urged the prosecution to require the Council to provide records of all travel undertaken by Bestard using official vehicles. At least 20 unauthorized trips were identified during an internal audit conducted by the Council itself. This review, carried out after the controversy emerged, revealed that between May 2025 and April 2026, there were at least 20 trips recorded in vehicle logs that did not appear in Bestard’s public schedule. The audit also noted that Bestard had exclusive access to three vehicles under his department. While the report deemed this behavior “inappropriate,” it concluded that there was insufficient evidence to definitively establish improper use. Consequently, the Council decided against taking disciplinary action against Bestard and announced plans to implement new guidelines for the use of official vehicles. Now, the Public Prosecution will assess whether there is sufficient evidence of criminal liability and whether the allegations made by the Socialist Group can be linked to the crimes outlined in their complaint. Bestard has previously denied using the official cars for personal purposes, attributing the disputed trips to his official duties. He has also explained that sometimes the vehicles remained at his home due to late hours or extended workdays, citing cost-saving measures. In some instances, he acknowledged that certain trips were not included in his schedule. The case highlights ongoing scrutiny of public officials' use of resources and underscores the need for transparency in administrative practices. As the investigation unfolds, further details regarding the extent of the alleged misconduct and the legal implications for Bestard will likely emerge. The outcome could influence future policies governing the allocation and monitoring of official transportation within the regional government.