Rays shortstop Wander Franco was granted bond at this morning’s hearing in the Dominican Republic, according to multiple reporters (including Gus Garcia-Roberts and Carolina Pichardo of the Washington Post and The Associated Press). He paid a bond of 2 million pesos, equivalent to around $34,000. Franco is allowed to leave the country but he is required to report monthly to speak with officials as they continue to investigate allegations of sexual abuse and money laundering.
According to documents obtained by the Washington Post, prosecutors claim that Franco had sexual relations with a 14-year-old girl over a span of four months. The age of consent in the Dominican Republic is 18. Investigators allege that Franco paid the girl’s mother the equivalent of thousands of dollars to remain silent about the abuse. The alleged victim’s mother was also detained and assigned to house arrest by the judge. (The linked articles have more details on the investigation.)
Franco’s attorney declined comment to the Washington Post. The Rays have not commented since placing him on the restricted list on August 14 after the abuse allegations were made public on social media. At the time, Tampa Bay said they “support any steps taken by the league to better understand the situation.” MLB has awaited results of the criminal investigation before deciding upon discipline.
