Tampa Bay Rays shortstop Wander Franco has been formally charged with sexual abuse and sexual exploitation against a minor, reports emerged on Tuesday. Puerto Plata District Office Prosecutor, Kelmin Duncan, along with Nairobi Viloria, spokesperson for the Attorney General's Office, confirmed to ESPN's Juan Recio the presentation of these charges. These legal developments come nearly a year after the initial complaint was lodged against Franco in July 2023.
Prosecutors in the Dominican Republic had a deadline of July 5 to bring charges against Franco. Nonetheless, a 10-day extension was granted by a judge, which allowed the prosecutors and the victims to conclude their report, as stated by ABC Action News. Moving forward on administrative leave under the MLB's domestic violence policy, Franco has been paid continuously although he has not played since the allegations surfaced.
The formal accusation involves the sexual abuse of a 14-year-old girl which, according to WTSP, alleges that Franco also paid the girl's mother to consent to the relationship. The mother is currently under house arrest, with her name withheld to protect the privacy of her daughter. The relationship in question allegedly lasted for four months.
Jay Reisinger, Franco's lawyer based in the United States, mentioned to The Associated Press that a formal notification of the charges has not yet been received by his client. While the investigation has brought forth a nearly 600-page document with evidence, including interviews and message transcripts related to the case, the defense's response remains pending.
