Getty Images
Tampa Bay Rays shortstop Wander Franco has been formally charged by prosecutors in the Dominican Republic with sexual abuse of a minor 14-year-old girl. The charges were filed on July 10, 2024, after an initial deadline had passed.
The allegations stem from a complaint filed in July 2023 accusing Franco of engaging in an inappropriate relationship with the minor. Prosecutors claim that Franco provided the girl’s mother with significant sums of money and gifts in exchange for her approval of the relationship, which allegedly lasted for four months.
Ongoing Investigation and Suspension
Franco, 23, has been on administrative leave from Major League Baseball (MLB) since August 12, 2023, when the allegations first surfaced. MLB and the MLB Players Association have extended his leave until July 14, 2024, to allow the legal proceedings in the Dominican Republic to unfold.
In addition to the sexual abuse of a minor and exploitation charges, Wander Franco has also been accused of human trafficking by Dominican authorities. Moreover, MLB is conducting an independent investigation into the allegations, which will continue after the resolution of the criminal case in the Dominican Republic.
Potential Disciplinary Action and Contract Implications
Under MLB’s Joint Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault, and Child Abuse Policy, Franco could face disciplinary action, including suspension, independent of the legal outcome in the Dominican Republic. The Rays could also potentially opt out of Franco’s 11-year, $182 million contract extension signed in 2021 if he is incarcerated, due to a “good citizenship” clause in the deal.
The next step in the legal process is a preliminary hearing in the Dominican Republic, where a judge will review the evidence and determine if the charges against Franco and the girl’s mother meet the necessary legal criteria. This hearing will set the stage for the upcoming trial proceedings and will ultimately decide the future of Wander Franco.
