Rays’ Franco Faces Charges in Dominican Republic

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    Tampa Bay Rays’ shortstop, Wander Franco, found himself in the midst of legal proceedings as his trial commenced on June 2 in the Dominican Republic concerning accusations of sexual abuse involving a minor. The allegations, dating back to 2023 when he was noted for an impressive All-Star performance, involve a purported relationship with a 14-year-old girl and claims that he paid her mother substantial sums for her consent. Initially set for December, the trial faced delays and resumed in June.

    Franco faces severe charges including sexual abuse of a minor, exploitation, and human trafficking. The case gained momentum after an investigation spanning over a year, with Judge Pascual Valenzuela from Puerto Plata concluding that the charges demanded a trial based on substantial evidence presented by the prosecution. According to documents, in January 2023, Franco allegedly, through his mother, transferred approximately $17,000 to the minor’s mother in exchange for consent to the abusive acts. In a concerning turn, the minor’s mother now faces charges of money laundering, having allegedly been living a lavish lifestyle funded by Franco’s payments. Raids unearthed significant sums of cash linked to Franco, further complicating the case.

    Despite the charges and the gravity of the situation, Franco maintains he is seeking justice, although he has been reticent with the media. A significant procedural delay occurred when Dominican judge Yacaira Veras postponed the trial due to the absence of critical witnesses. Despite Franco’s legal team’s protests, emphasizing the impending baseball season and his need to resume spring training, the judge held firm on continuing with the trial before Franco’s conditional release.

    A guilty verdict could result in Franco facing a 30-year prison sentence. Currently, Franco is not incarcerated but remains under supervised release conditions. Furthermore, he faced additional legal troubles in November regarding firearm possession after an altercation, although his legal representatives argue that the possession was lawful. Still, a conviction on this charge could culminate in a three to five-year sentence.

    As for his financial situation, Franco was compensated for nearly a year after the authorities began investigating. Although placed on the restricted list and then administrative leave, Franco initially received his salary. This changed when the charges were formally lodged, and MLB adjusted his pay, halting income via the administrative leave structure. MLB’s decision about his future in the sport appears to hinge on the trial’s outcome.