Tampa Bay Rays shortstop Wander Franco has been formally charged with sexual abuse and sexual exploitation of a 14-year-old girl.
Franco hasn’t played in the MLB since August 12, 2023, with the league conducting its own investigations. The 23-year-old is currently on administrative leave.
According to journalist Juan Arturo Recio, the player was charged by prosecutors in the Dominican Republic on Tuesday. The prosecutors opted to go in this direction four days after the initial deadline expired on July 5, six months after a judge ordered a probe into claims of sexual and psychological abuse of a minor.
Big news out of the Dominican Republic from ESPN’s @JuanRecioM: Tampa Bay Rays shortstop Wander Franco has been formally charged with sexual abuse and sexual exploitation against a minor. https://t.co/GCDsSqrnsG
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) July 10, 2024
Attorney general’s office spokesperson Nairobi Viloria told the Associated Press that prosecutors had furnished the judge with the final and formal accusation but would not provide further details.
The minor’s mother has also been indicted as prosecutors allege that she accepted thousands of dollars from Wander Franco in exchange for him being allowed to have a relationship with her daughter. The mother remains under house arrest while her identity is being kept under wraps to protect her daughter’s privacy.
The relationship is understood to have lasted for four months.
Also Read: Disgraced MLB Star Wander Franco Has Gone Missing In The Dominican Republic
Wander Franco Is Still Being Paid
Wander Franco’s U.S.-based attorney, Jay Reisinger, said he would not comment as the shortstop hadn’t received formal notification of the charges.
The player continues to receive his MLB salary as administrative leave is not disciplinary under the league’s joint domestic violence, sexual assault, and child abuse policy,
Franco agreed to an 11-year deal worth $182 million in 2021.
It has been a tumultuous time for Tampa Bay Rays shortstop Wander Franco, as he faces formal charges of sexual abuse and sexual exploitation of a 14-year-old girl. The MLB has been conducting its own investigations into the matter, and Franco has not played since August 12, 2023. As of now, the 23-year-old is on administrative leave.
According to journalist Juan Arturo Recio, prosecutors in the Dominican Republic officially charged Franco with the offenses on Tuesday, after missing the initial deadline. This comes six months after a judge ordered an investigation into the claims made against the player.
The attorney general’s office spokesperson, Nairobi Viloria, confirmed that prosecutors have submitted the final accusation to the judge. However, further details have not been disclosed at this time.
In a surprising turn of events, the minor’s mother has also been indicted in connection to the case. Prosecutors allege that she accepted payments from Franco in exchange for him having a relationship with her daughter. She is currently under house arrest, and her identity is being kept confidential to protect her daughter’s privacy.
Despite the charges, Wander Franco continues to receive his MLB salary while on administrative leave. This is in accordance with the league’s policy on domestic violence, sexual assault, and child abuse. Franco signed an 11-year, $182 million deal back in 2021.
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Source: Los Angeles Times (edited)
