SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic - Nearly two years after he last took the field with the Tampa Bay Rays , shortstop Wander Franco is set to stand trial in the Dominican Republic beginning Monday in a sexual abuse case involving an underage girl.

Case against Wander Franco

The backstory:

The investigation into Franco began in 2023, and he was formally charged in July 2024 with sexually abusing a minor, sexual and commercial exploitation against a minor, and human trafficking.

The Associated Press obtained documents presented to a judge last year alleging that Franco, through his mother, transferred 1 million pesos, or about $17,000, to the teen's mother in January 2023.

Prosecutors believe Franco, who is now 24, made several payments to the teen's mother, saying detectives fou

See Full Page