Prosecutors accuse Rays shortstop Wander Franco of commercial sexual exploitation, money laundering

Prosecutors accuse Rays shortstop Wander Franco of commercial sexual exploitation, money laundering


Dominican prosecutors on Wednesday accused Wander Franco of commercial sexual exploitation and revenue laundering next allegations that the Tampa Bay Rays shortstop had a relationship with a insignificant whose mother also faces the exact rates.

Prosecutors requested that a judge keep Franco on an $86,000 bond, bar him from leaving the Dominican Republic, and put him beneath property arrest. They famous the money laundering fees stem from allegations that Franco manufactured payments to the minor’s mother.

Prosecutors also questioned that the decide prohibit the minor’s mom from leaving the place and put her under property arrest.

“These measures requested by the General public Ministry find to promise the integrity of the approach,” the ministry explained in a assertion.

Prosecutors on Wednesday also sent evidence to a choose who is envisioned to shortly rule on Franco’s foreseeable future.

The choose is scheduled to assess the files and other proof collected in the course of a monthslong investigation and issue a ruling Friday in a courtroom in the northern Dominican Republic province of Puerto Plata, the place the alleged act transpired.

The choose has various solutions: launch Franco on bond, temporarily arrest him, avoid him from leaving the Dominican Republic or need that he make occasional appearances until finally the investigation or a demo has ended.

The 22-12 months-old All-Star participant stays in jail for now right after remaining detained on Monday in Puerto Plata.

His lawyer, Teodosio Jáquez Encarnación, has declined to chat to media, saying only that Franco is carrying out high-quality.

Prosecutors also have declined comment.

Authorities have not shared specifics of the situation, despite the fact that prosecutors stated on Aug. 14 that Franco was staying investigated simply because of social media postings suggesting he experienced a romantic relationship with a minimal. The AP has not been able to confirm the noted posts.

On Dec. 26, law enforcement and prosecutors frequented two of Franco’s properties situated in his hometown of Baní, just southwest of the capital of Santo Domingo, but the participant was not there.

On Dec. 28, a prosecutor requested that Franco seem, but he did not do so until Monday when he was detained following a almost three-hour interview.

Main League Baseball placed Franco on administrative go away in August below its the joint domestic violence, sexual assault, and kid abuse policy with the players’ affiliation. He was paid and gained support time although on leave.

There is no timetable for a summary of the MLB’s investigation and irrespective of whether the results could lead to self-control by the commissioner’s business office.



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