Authorities in the Dominican Republic are planning to present formal accusations against Rays shortstop Wander Franco that stem from an alleged relationship with a 14-year-old girl that began in December 2022, according to a new report.
The report in Dominican newspaper El Nuevo Diario indicated that Franco stands to be accused of commercial sexual exploitation of a minor.
The disturbing situation came to light last summer when photos of Franco and the girl circulated on social media and Franco was placed on administrative leave in August, which he was placed back on at the start of the 2024 baseball season.
Tampa Bay Rays shortstop Wander Franco, center, is escorted by police to court in Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic on Friday, Jan. 5, 2024. AP The Associated Press previously reported that Franco was going to be accused by prosecutors of sexual and psychological abuse, as well as abduction.
The accusations of money laundering and sexual exploitation were dismissed in January when Franco was released from prison after he was detained for a week — after failing to respond to a summons by prosecutors to speak with them.
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Last month, ESPN reported that a judge in the Dominican Republic had denied a request by Franco’s lawyers to end the mandatory check-ins with police on the 30th of every month, as well as a return of his bail of 2 million Dominican pesos, which converts to roughly $34,000.
Judge Pascual Francisco Abreu Venezuela said in a legal document denying the requests that he “must be rejected in its entirety, since the measure that has been imposed has a purpose. That is to ensure the presence of the accused in the process.”
Prosecutors have until July to present formal accusations against the Rays player, who hasn’t appeared in an MLB game since the alleged relationship with the then-14-year-old girl on Aug. 13.
MLB placed Franco on the restricted list at first before he was moved to administrative leave.
Franco was technically reinstated to the Rays roster after the season — administrative leave is applicable only during the season — but he was put back on administrative leave on March 28.
Tampa Bay Rays’ Wander Franco looks on during a baseball game Aug. 13, 2023, i AP He is still being paid his $2 million salary and regardless of the legal ramifications in the Dominican Republic, Franco could still face possible disciplinary action from MLB.
It’s likely that any action from MLB won’t come until after prosecutors have sorted things out in Franco’s home country.
