Rays shortstop Wander Franco‘s retrial reached a verdict yesterday, with Marc Topkin of The Tampa Bay Times among those to cover the details. Franco was found guilty of sexual and psychological abuse of a minor but will not serve prison time because the three-judge panel ruled that he was both a defendant and a victim in the case. He was given a judicial pardon which exempts him from punishment but the conviction stands. The minor’s mother was sentenced to ten years for money laundering and threats of exposure. The full verdict with more details will be read in court on the morning of June 16th.
It’s a similar result to the previous trial, which concluded in June of last year. At that time, Franco was found guilty. He received a two-year suspended sentence and would only have to serve the sentence if he didn’t meet certain conditions. The minor’s mother was found guilty of trafficking her daughter and sentenced to ten years. Both sides appealed and a new trial was ordered. Once again, the victim’s mother has received a ten-year sentence while Franco has been found guilty but is not expected to serve prison time.
“We are aware of today’s verdict in the Wander Franco trial and will conclude our investigation at the appropriate time,” Major League Baseball said in a statement late Monday afternoon.
“The Tampa Bay Rays are aware of today’s ruling in the Dominican Republic involving Wander Franco,” the team said in a statement. “We respect the legal process and the decision issued by the court. This is a serious matter, and our thoughts remain with those affected by the case. The Rays will continue to cooperate fully with Major League Baseball as it completes its review under the league’s joint domestic violence, sexual assault and child abuse policy. Out of respect for the legal process and all parties involved, we will have no further comment at this time.”
In August of 2023, investigators in the D.R. began looking into accusations that the Rays shortstop had engaged in a sexual relationship with a 14-year-old girl while he was 21. The age of consent in that country is 18. In July of 2024, Franco was formally charged with sexual abuse and sexual exploitation against a minor, as well as human trafficking. In September of last year, it was reported that the case would proceed to trial.
Major League Baseball placed Franco on administrative leave in August last year when the accusations first emerged, standard procedure for players who are being investigated under the joint domestic violence, sexual assault and child abuse policy. He was reinstated for the offseason in a procedural move but placed back on administrative leave when the 2024 campaign began. He was moved to the restricted list in July of 2024 when he was formally charged, at which point he was no longer receiving big league pay or service time.
Throughout the proceedings, accusations had also emerged against the girl’s mother, that she received payments from Franco worth thousands of dollars to remain silent about her daughter’s abuse.
Back in 2021, Franco and the Rays signed an 11-year, $182MM extension which was set to run through 2032. In the wake of his conviction, it’s unclear if he’ll be able to get the work visa necessary for him to return to the United States. Even if he somehow were able to get a visa, he may not be able to get back on the field. Under the aforementioned league policy, MLB can suspend players even in situations lacking a conviction. In Franco’s case, even though he may not serve time, he has been twice found guilty. The Rays haven’t been paying him for almost two years now and that will continue to be the case if he can’t get a visa or receives a suspension that keeps him on the restricted list.
Photo courtesy of Brad Penner, Imagn Images
