Prosecutors in the Dominican Republic say that they have “convincing evidence” against Rays shortstop Wander Franco in the sexual abuse case that is set to go to trial Monday, according to a news release issued by the country’s attorney general and shared by ESPN.
Franco, who hasn’t played in MLB since August 2023, is alleged to have had a sexual relationship with a then-14-year-old female.
He was placed on administrative leave by the league shortly after making his first All-Star team and later transferred to the restricted list (non-paid) after charges were filed in July 2024.
The trial was originally scheduled for December 2024 but was postponed when key witnesses could not be located.
Franco, 24, is charged with sexual and psychological abuse. Those offenses come with lesser penalties than the original charges of sexual exploitation against a minor and human trafficking.
Franco is also being investigated by the league under its domestic violence, sexual assault and child abuse policy until the case is resolved.
But he has maintained that his MLB career is not over, as his attorney has proclaimed that “there is no case against Wander.”
“I did not had a career,” Franco said in December. “This is not over.”
During his absence from MLB, Franco was also caught illegally carrying a gun in his vehicle by Dominican authorities.
He was granted supervised release after his attorney argued that the gun was licensed.
The Associated Press reviewed documents alleging that Franco, through his mother Yudelka Aybar, transferred 1 million pesos to the mother of the minor on Jan. 5, 2023, to consent to the abuse.
The mother of the minor has been charged with money laundering because she requested payment after finding out about their four-month-long relationship, according to evidence collected by prosecutors and reviewed by the AP.
Franco signed an 11-year, $182 million contract in November 2021.
