Authorities in the Dominican Republic officially charged Tampa Bay Rays shortstop Wander Franco yesterday(July 9) with sexual and psychological abuse of a 14-year-old girl.
Prosecutors decided to press charges four days after the initial July 5th deadline expired, six months after a judge ordered that Franco be investigated in connection with sexual abuse of a minor.
Attorney General Office spokesperson Nairobi Viloria confirmed that prosecutors confirmed presented the final accusations to a judge, but she did not provide any further details about the charges. Prosecutors allege that the minor’s mother, who is currently on house arrest, was paid thousands of dollars to consent to the relationship, which lasted four months.
The 23-year-old is currently on administrative leave from Major League Baseball until July 14.
Franco’s lawyer Jay Reisinger said he could not comment because Franco had not received formal notification of any charges. Tampa Bay’s All-Star shortstop has not played since Aug. 12 while MLB continues its investigation into the charges.
Franco was signed to a $182 million, 11-year contract in November 2021.
The post SOURCE SPORTS: TB Rays SS Wander Franco Charged With Sexually Abusing 14-Year-Old Girl first appeared on The Source.
The post SOURCE SPORTS: TB Rays SS Wander Franco Charged With Sexually Abusing 14-Year-Old Girl appeared first on The Source.