Tampa Bay Rays star shortstop Wander Franco has been granted conditional release by a judge in the Dominican Republic as he faces charges of commercial sexual abuse and exploitation of a minor. According to court documents obtained by The Athletic, the minor, whose name has been withheld for legal reasons, alleges that Franco paid her mother 100,000 Dominican pesos ($1,785) per month for seven months in order to maintain a dating relationship with her.
The documents also contain a quote from an interview that the minor gave to a psychologist, in which she expressed her displeasure with being used for the benefit of her mother’s partners as well as her own. Despite his conditional release, Franco will have to appear monthly before the Dominican Public Ministry and pay a financial guarantee of 2 million Dominican pesos ($34,482 USD).
The mother of the minor has also been ordered to be under house arrest and prevented from leaving the country during the criminal proceedings. The prosecution requested a financial guarantee of 5 million Dominican pesos ($86,206 USD) against Franco, who is accused of abducting the minor for two days and sexually abusing her.
The case has created uncertainty about Franco’s baseball future, as Major League Baseball is currently conducting its own investigation into the allegations. The 22-year-old was placed on administrative leave by MLB after the investigation began last summer, and it remains to be seen whether he will face formal suspension.
Franco, who signed an 11-year, $182 million contract in 2021, was silent during his court appearance on Friday, only saying “Everything will be in God’s hands” after the judge’s decision. Prosecutors have also alleged that Franco’s mother made payments to the mother of the minor, adding extra layers to the case.
The MLB and the Players’ Association are also expected to play a role in determining Franco’s future in baseball. However, with the ongoing legal proceedings, it remains uncertain what the next steps will be for the star shortstop.
The case has also seen conflicting details emerge, with Franco denying the allegations in an Instagram Live video shortly after they were posted on social media. The Rays have also issued a statement in support of MLB’s decision to place Franco on administrative leave, expressing their dedication to upholding high standards of integrity on and off the field.
As the legal process unfolds, questions remain regarding Franco’s future in baseball and the potential implications of the charges he faces.