Rays' Wander Franco no-shows agency summons in D.R.

[C-40]

Rays' Wander Franco no-shows agency summons in D.R.​

Tampa Bay Rays shortstop Wander Franco did not respond to a summons filed in the Dominican Republic to address allegations that he had inappropriate relationships with minors, the agency director said Thursday. Olga Diná Llaverías said Franco did not show up to the Specialized Prosecutor's Office for Children and Adolescents at 11 a.m. -- the time he had been given to appear in Santo Domingo. Diná Llaverías said the agency would continue with the investigation but did not discuss details in a short news conference with reporters.

Documents seen by The Associated Press showed that Franco had dismissed his legal team. At least two people have filed legal action against Franco. He is also under investigation for allegedly having a relationship with a third minor, sources told ESPN, although there has been no formal complaint to authorities from the third girl. No criminal charges have been filed against Franco. Franco, who is from the Dominican Republic, was placed on administrative leave in August by Major League Baseball, which is also investigating the allegations.

Since then, the team has not commented on the situation. In November 2021, 70 games into his MLB career, Franco and the Rays agreed on an 11-year, $182 million contract extension. Franco had been one of the most productive players in MLB at the time of his suspension, batting .281/.344/.475 with 17 home runs, 58 RBIs and 30 stolen bases, and made his first All-Star team in 2023.

Click Here For Full Story

 

[C-40]

Judge orders Wander Franco release as investigation continues​

A judge on Friday ordered the conditional release of Tampa Bay Rays shortstop Wander Franco while he is investigated for allegations he had a relationship with a 14-year-old girl and gave her mother a car and thousands of dollars in exchange for her consent, according to court documents obtained by The Associated Press. The judge said Franco is allowed to leave the Dominican Republic but must return once a month to meet with authorities. He also was ordered to pay 2 million Dominican pesos ($34,000) as a type of deposit as the investigation continues. Franco, who was expected to be released early Saturday, did not speak to reporters after the hearing. During a bathroom break earlier in the day, he briefly told reporters that "everything is in God's hands."

The 22-year-old All-Star is accused of commercial sexual exploitation and money laundering. The judge in the case, Rumaldi Marcelino, had several options for a ruling Friday: 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 girl's 35-year-old mother, who faces the same accusations as Franco, was ordered held under house arrest as the investigation continues. She smiled slightly as she left the courtroom but did not comment. The AP is not naming the woman to preserve her daughter's privacy.

In September, authorities raided the home of the girl's mother and seized 800,000 Dominican pesos ($13,700) as well as $68,500 they said was found hidden behind a frame. Another seizure at a different home found a guarantee certificate from a local bank for 2.1 million Dominican pesos ($36,000) they said was delivered by Franco for the "commercial and sexual exploitation" of the girl. In addition, they seized a Suzuki Swift worth $26,600, according to the document. Authorities noted that days before the car was bought, the teenager's mother had the equivalent of $821 in her bank account. The mother also bought property in Puerto Plata worth $36,000, they said.

Click Here For Full Story