Wander Franco, the Tampa Bay Rays’ star shortstop, is facing serious legal trouble in the Dominican Republic. He’s going to trial on December 12 for allegations of sexual abuse involving a 14-year-old girl. This case has been making headlines since last year, and here’s everything you need to know.
Franco, who’s now 23, was having a stellar season in 2023 and had even made the All-Star team. But his career took a sharp turn when Dominican authorities began investigating claims that he was in a relationship with a minor. Prosecutors allege that Franco not only abused the girl but also paid her mother for consent, offering about $17,000 through his own mother, Yudelka Aybar, in January 2023.
To make matters worse, the girl’s mother has also been charged with money laundering. Prosecutors claim she suddenly went from a regular bank employee to living a flashy lifestyle, allegedly using the money Franco gave her. When authorities searched her home, they reportedly found large sums of cash—$68,500 and $35,000—believed to be linked to Franco.
The case has drawn significant attention. A judge ruled in September that there was enough evidence to move forward with a trial. Franco, however, has remained tight-lipped about the situation, saying only, “Everything is in God’s hands.”
The trial will take place in Puerto Plata, a northern province in the Dominican Republic. Unlike in the U.S., there won’t be a jury. Instead, three or five judges will hear both sides, listen to witnesses, and examine the evidence before delivering a verdict. This process could stretch on for months—sometimes up to eight. If found guilty, Franco could face up to 20 years behind bars.
This isn’t Franco’s only legal issue. In November, he was arrested for carrying a gun in his car after a heated argument in a parking lot. While the firearm was registered to his uncle, the incident has added another layer of legal challenges for Franco. If convicted for illegal possession of a weapon, he could face an additional three to five years in prison.
Franco’s off-field troubles have also affected his finances. Initially, he continued to receive part of his salary even after the investigation began. Major League Baseball placed him on administrative leave in August 2023, which allowed him to collect half his pay. But things changed in July 2024 when formal charges were filed, and MLB put him on the restricted list, cutting off his salary completely.
Franco had signed an 11-year, $182 million deal with the Rays in 2021, making him one of the brightest young stars in baseball. But with his trial underway and his future uncertain, that once-promising career is now in jeopardy. MLB is likely waiting for the outcome of the trial before deciding on any potential discipline.
For now, all eyes are on the Dominican Republic as Franco’s trial begins, a case that could redefine his life and career.
