Mallorca court takes up Bestard’s official car case

Three council cars, one criminal complaint: a court in Palma, Mallorca, has agreed to hear a case against Pedro Bestard, the island council’s second vice-president. The Vox politician is accused of using official vehicles for private purposes without permission. The court accepted the public prosecutor’s complaint on Thursday, 12 November; it has not ruled on the allegation.

Why the cars are under scrutiny

The case began with a complaint from the Socialist Party of the Balearic Islands (PSIB). After investigating, prosecutors filed a complaint alleging misuse of public funds in late October.

The Socialists say Bestard repeatedly used three council cars exclusively for private purposes, running up fuel and other costs. Earlier internal reports found that he had exclusive use of three official vehicles, but no record showed they had been assigned to him on that basis. The reports called the arrangement inappropriate, yet said they could not establish conclusively that the cars had been misused. The council took no action against Bestard and instead issued internal rules on official vehicles.

What happens next

The judge must tell Bestard that he is under investigation and set a date for him to give evidence. People close to him said he had not yet received that notification.

The council will also have the chance to join the case as an injured party. It says its lawyers will consider that step once it is notified. PSIB spokeswoman Catalina Cladera has called for Bestard to resign. For now, whether the council joins the case remains open.

Topics: Court cases · Palma

Source: Europa Press / Mallorca.com