Prosecutors say they have ‘convincing evidence’ against Wander Franco
Prosecutors in the Dominican Republic have announced that they possess compelling evidence against Tampa Bay Rays shortstop Wander Franco in the sexual abuse case that is scheduled to commence trial on Monday. Franco, who has been absent from MLB since August 2023, is accused of engaging in a sexual relationship with a 14-year-old girl at the time.
Following his first All-Star appearance, Franco was placed on administrative leave by the league and later moved to the restricted list without pay after charges were filed against him in July 2024. The trial, originally set for December 2024, was postponed due to difficulties in locating key witnesses.
The charges against Franco include sexual and psychological abuse, with the initial accusations of sexual exploitation of a minor and human trafficking carrying more severe penalties. The 24-year-old player is also under investigation by the league under its policies regarding domestic violence, sexual assault, and child abuse.
Despite the legal proceedings, Franco’s attorney maintains that there is no case against him and believes that his MLB career is not over. Franco himself has expressed determination, stating that he did not have a career to end and remains hopeful for the future.
During his absence from professional baseball, Franco was found to be illegally carrying a gun in his vehicle by Dominican authorities. However, he was granted supervised release after asserting that the gun was licensed.
In a controversial turn of events, it was revealed that Franco, through his mother Yudelka Aybar, allegedly transferred 1 million pesos to the mother of the minor involved in the case to secure her consent to the abuse. The mother of the minor is facing charges of money laundering for requesting payment upon learning of the relationship between her daughter and Franco.
Franco, who signed a lucrative 11-year, $182 million contract in November 2021, continues to face legal challenges both in the Dominican Republic and within the realm of Major League Baseball. As the trial unfolds, the outcome will undoubtedly have far-reaching implications for his future in the sport and beyond.
