It was back on New Year’s Day that Tampa Bay Rays star shortstop Wander Franco turned himself into authorites at the Specialized Prosecutor’s Office for Children and Adolescents in the Dominican Republic.
Franco’s decision to turn himself in comes after he was accused of an inappropriate relationship with multiple minors back in August. He was ultimately arrested after being interrogated by authorites in the DR earlier this week.
There is now more troubling allegations being levied against the star infielder. Prosecutors in the Dominican Republic accuse Franco of commercial sexual exploitation, indicating that he paid off the mother of an underaged girl in which Franco allegedly had an inappropriate relationship. Documents show that she was 14 years old at the time.
“Prosecutors requested that a judge hold Franco on an $86,000 bond, bar him from leaving the Dominican Republic and place him under house arrest. They noted the money laundering charges stems from allegations that Franco made payments to the minor’s mother.”
Asscociated Press report on latest Wander Franco allegations
Wednesday also saw prosecutors in the DR present evidence to the judge in the case. A ruling is expected at some point soon.
“The judge has several options: release Franco on bond, temporarily arrest him, prevent him from leaving the Dominican Republic or demand that he make occasional appearances until the investigation or a trial has ended,” the AP report read.
Franco, 22, was ultimately placed on the MLB’s restricted list last season after the initial allegation of wrongdoing became public record. More allegations have since surfaced against him.
- Wander Franco stats: .281 average, 30 HR, 130 RBI, .795 OPS
Considered one of the best young players in baseball prior to these troubling allegations surfacing, Franco was seen as the future face of the Rays. In fact, he signed an 11-year, $182 million contract with Tampa Bay back in November of 2021 after the DR native had played in just 70 MLB games.