Wander Franco, Tampa Bay Rays shortstop, escorted by police to court in Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic on January 5, 2024. Dominican prosecutors on Wednesday accused Franco of commercial sexual exploitation and money laundering following allegations that he had a relationship with a minor whose mother is also implicated. (AP Photo/Ricardo Hernández)
In a recent development, a judge on Friday approved the conditional release of Tampa Bay Rays shortstop Wander Franco while he is under investigation for alleged involvement with a 14-year-old girl. According to court documents obtained by The Associated Press, Franco is accused of providing the girl’s mother with a car and thousands of dollars in exchange for her consent.
Release Conditions and Reaction
The judge’s ruling allows Franco to depart the Dominican Republic but mandates his return once a month for meetings with authorities. Additionally, he has been instructed to pay a deposit of 2 million Dominican pesos ($34,000) during the ongoing investigation.
Following the hearing, Franco, expected to be released early Saturday, refrained from commenting on the case. He only said that “Everything is in God’s hands,” during a bathroom break. Supporters outside the courthouse celebrated the ruling, shouting “Boss! Boss!” in reference to Franco. His father, Wander Franco, said, “God is just.”
Legal Charges and Judge’s Deliberation
The 22-year-old All-Star is facing accusations of commercial sexual exploitation and money laundering. Judge Rumaldi Marcelino considered various options for the ruling, including bond release, temporary arrest, preventing him from leaving the Dominican Republic, or requiring occasional appearances until the investigation or trial concludes.
Legal Status of Others Involved
The 35-year-old mother of the girl, facing similar charges, has been placed under house arrest. The decision to withhold her name from the public is aimed at preserving her daughter’s privacy.
Legal Proceedings and Investigation
Franco, arrested in Puerto Plata on Monday, has not been officially charged. The judge received an extensive 600-page document detailing evidence gathered during a months-long investigation.
Franco’s legal team has offered minimal comments, only stating that he is “doing fine.”
Background of Allegations and Relationship Timeline
Prosecutors initiated the investigation in July 2023 following an anonymous tip related to a media post alluding to the alleged relationship. Authorities claim that Franco took the minor away from her home in Puerto Plata in December 2022, engaging in a four-month relationship with the consent of the girl’s mother.
Accusations include Franco sending monthly payments of $1,700 to the girl’s mother for seven months and purchasing her a car to facilitate the relationship, as outlined in the document quoting the girl. The teenager demanded media coverage of her alleged relationship, expressing frustration with her mother’s handling of Franco’s money.
Days later, Franco published a live video claiming an extortion scheme against him. In September 2023, authorities conducted raids, seizing significant amounts of cash, a car, and property linked to the case. Franco’s mother, accused of sending money to the girl’s mother, has not faced charges.
MLB Involvement and Contract
Franco, who had an All-Star season, was sidelined in August when authorities in the Dominican Republic began investigating claims of a relationship with a minor. Ongoing investigations by Dominican authorities and Major League Baseball continue. Franco, with a $182 million, 11-year contract in 2021, awaits the outcome of these investigations. His salary for last year and this year is $2 million per season.
This report used information from The Associated Press
