- Franco made monthly payments to the mother of a minor with whom he was in a relationship
- He is being held on RD$5 million bail and is not allowed to leave the country
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Dominican prosecutors charged Wander Franco on Wednesday with commercial sexual exploitation and money laundering following allegations that the Tampa Bay Rays shortstop had a relationship with a minor whose mother also faces the same charges.
Prosecutors asked a judge to hold Franco on RD$5 million bail, ban him from leaving the Dominican Republic and place him under house arrest.
They noted that the money laundering charges stem from allegations that Franco made payments to the minor's mother.
Prosecutors also asked the judge to ban the minor's mother from leaving the country and place her under house arrest.
“These measures requested by the Public Prosecution Service are intended to guarantee the integrity of the process,” the ministry said in a statement.
Wander Franco allegedly made monthly payments to the mother of a 14-year-old girl with whom he had an inappropriate relationship, according to Dominican authorities.
Prosecutors also provided evidence on Wednesday to a judge who is expected to rule soon on Franco's future.
The judge will analyze documents and other evidence collected during a months-long investigation and make a ruling Friday in a courtroom in the Dominican Republic's northern province of Puerto Plata, where the alleged act took place.
The judge has several options: release Franco on bail, temporarily arrest him, prevent him from leaving the Dominican Republic or require him to appear periodically until the investigation or trial ends.
The 22-year-old All-Star player remains in prison for the time being after he was arrested in Puerto Plata on Monday.
His lawyer, Teodosio Jáquez Encarnación, has declined to speak to the media, saying only that Franco is doing well.
Prosecutors also declined comment.
Authorities have not shared details about the case, although prosecutors said on August 14 that Franco was being investigated over social media posts indicating he was in a relationship with a minor. The AP has not been able to verify the reported messages.
Franco allegedly made monthly payments of 100,000 Dominican pesos ($1,700 USD)
However, reports from the Dominican Republic indicate that Franco may have paid hush money to the minor's mother. according to Martin Rodrigues of Deportivo Grupo SIN he would have been 14 years old at the time.
Rodrigues also reports this authorities claim Franco began making monthly payments of RD$100,000 (approximately $1700 USD) to the girl's mother.
When authorities raided the child's mother's home, they found RD$800,000 in bills, $68,000 in bills and a vehicle paid for by Franco. according to reporting from Rodriguez.
The Dominican Ministry of Justice says the alleged victim in this case is currently 15 years old.
Franco is being held on 5 million Dominican pesos bail and is not allowed to leave the country
On December 26, police and prosecutors visited two of Franco's properties in his hometown of Baní, just southwest of the capital Santo Domingo, but the player was not there.
On December 28, a prosecutor asked Franco to appear, but he did not do so until Monday, when he was arrested after a nearly three-hour interrogation.
Major League Baseball placed Franco on administrative leave in August under its joint domestic violence, sexual assault and child abuse policy with the players' association. He was paid and given service time during his leave.
There is no timetable for the conclusion of MLB's investigation or whether the results could lead to disciplinary action by the commissioner's office.