Wander Franco, a Tampa Bay Rays shortstop, is currently being investigated by MLB and the Dominican Republic’s Attorney General regarding allegations of an inappropriate relationship with one or two minors.
The investigation is being carried out by a special division in the Dominican Republic that focuses on minors and gender violence.
The case has been assigned to The National Agency for Boys, Girls, Adolescents, and Family and Gender Violence Unit.
The Peravia prosecutor, Ángel Darío Tejeda Fabal, has stated that more information may be provided next week without jeopardizing the investigation.
“Next week, we might be able to give some of the necessary information without hurting the investigation,” he said.
Tampa Bay shortstop Wander Franco is being investigated by Dominican authorities, and a division that focuses on minors/gender violence and a judge who's a child-abuse specialist are handling the case, which is in its early stages, per the @AP. News free: https://t.co/LcY4eGv5So
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) August 16, 2023
Additionally, Franco has been connected to a second underage girl in the Dominican Republic, as reported by the Dominican newspaper Diario Libre.
As of now, Franco is away from the team and on the restricted list while MLB investigates social media posts alleging his involvement with a minor.
In a video on Instagram Live, Franco denied the allegations, stating that people “don’t know what they’re talking about” and preferring to distance himself from such accusations.
Despite the ongoing investigation, Franco has had an impressive season with a batting average of .281, 17 home runs, 58 RBIs, a .819 OPS, and 30 stolen bases.
He remains under contract with Tampa Bay until 2032, with a club option for 2033.
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