Tampa Bay Rays shortstop Wander Franco has been charged in the Dominican Republic over allegations surrounding his sexual involvement with a 14-year-old girl in the country.
The 23-year-old was "formally charged by Dominican authorities for the crimes of sexual abuse and sexual exploitation against a minor," ESPN's Juan Arturo Recio reported on Tuesday night.
Last Friday the Tampa Bay Times wrote that prosecutors in the Dominican Republic "did not formally present charges" in time for a July 5 deadline. "But that does not mean they still won’t, or that he has been cleared of any legal repercussions, as there reportedly now will be another 15-day window," the newspaper stipulated, sourcing Recio.
The MLB player—full name Wander Samuel Franco Aybar—was arrested and released in the DR in January on conditional terms granted by a judge after a $34,000 payment. He was accused of commercial sexual exploitation and money laundering over an alleged four-month relationship with a minor when Franco was 21. Beginning in December 2022, the girl's 35-year-old mother reportedly consented and in turn received $1,700 payments for seven months, plus a new car.
In a September 2023 raid, authorities sized $13,700 worth of Dominican pesos from the mother's house, plus $68,500 in American dollars discovered behind a frame. "Another 2.1 million Dominican pesos, or $36,000, in the form of a guarantee certificate from a local bank was found in a different home," Complex's Jose Martinez wrote on Jan. 8.
Franco, reportedly a father to two young sons, signed a $182 million, 11-year contract extension with the Rays in November 2021. In August 2023 he was put on the restricted list due to the disturbing accusations, which the alleged victim shared on social media. In an Aug. 13 statement the Rays wrote, “During today’s game, we were made aware of the social media posts that are circulating regarding Wander Franco. We take the situation seriously and are in close contact with Major League Baseball as it conducts its due diligence.”
The MLB announced it was conducting an investigation at the time. Shortly after, a 17-year-old girl filed a separate lawsuit against Franco, though further details were unavailable, followed by allegations from a third girl. Follow-ups on those claims in the press have been sparse.
Franco has remained on administrative leave and continued to collect his $2 million salary though he hasn't played since Aug. 12, 2023. This will continue through July 14, when an extension may go into play.
