Late Tuesday night news broke that Rays’ shortstop Wander Franco has been formally charged in the Dominican courts with sexual abuse and sexual exploitation of a minor. The minor’s mother, additionally, has been charged with trafficking, sexual exploitation, as well as money laundering for the part she has allegedly played in these proceedings.
While it is important to note that a charge is not the same as a verdict, this certainly isn’t good news for Franco, who has claimed that he is innocent of all allegations.
These charges stem from a scandal that broke early this year that alleged Franco engaged in sexual acts with a 14-year-old girl while he was 21 years old.