Rays and MLB Respond to Wander Franco Ruling: Investigation Underway

Tampa Bay Rays and MLB React After Ruling Against Wander Franco

Santo Domingo.- The Tampa Bay Rays organization and Major League Baseball (MLB) have issued statements following a court decision in Puerto Plata that found Dominican baseball player Wander Franco guilty of sexual and psychological abuse against a minor. In a statement, the Rays indicated that they respect the ongoing judicial process in the Dominican Republic and will continue to cooperate with MLB investigations.

“We respect the legal process in the Dominican Republic and believe it is important to allow it to run its course. We will continue to cooperate fully with Major League Baseball as they monitor the situation,” said the Tampa Bay organization.

Tampa Bay Rays

The Office of the Commissioner of Major League Baseball reported that it is keeping an independent investigation open under the Joint Policy on Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault and Child Abuse, and that additional disciplinary measures against the player are not ruled out.

“We are aware of the verdict issued in the Wander Franco trial and will conclude our investigation at the appropriate time,” MLB said.

MLB

The court of the Judicial District of Puerto Plata sentenced Franco to two years of suspended prison after finding him guilty of having sexual relations with a 14-year-old teenager when the player was 21 years old. The magistrates determined that the Public Prosecutor’s Office demonstrated the relationship between the baseball player and the minor for approximately four months. However, the court applied judicial pardon, considering exceptional circumstances to mitigate the sanction. The sentence will be recorded in Franco’s judicial record, but he will not have to serve effective prison time or pay economic fines. In the same case file, the teenager’s mother was sentenced to ten years in prison for her participation in a money laundering scheme and alleged extortion against the baseball player. Wander Franco’s future in Major League Baseball remains uncertain, pending the conclusion of the MLB’s internal investigation and the possible imposition of additional sports sanctions.