Wander Franco found guilty in sexual abuse case but avoids prison time - Tampa Bay Times

Rays shortstop Wander Franco was found guilty for a second time on charges of sexual and psychological abuse of a minor Monday, although he was spared sentencing as a Dominican Republic court granted him a judicial pardon.The ruling means Franco will not serve prison time because the three-judge panel said he was both defendant and victim in the case, according to Dominican lawyer and journalist Juan Arturo Recio.The mother of the minor was sentenced to 10 years for money laundering and “threats of exposure,” which mirrors the same sentence she received in the first trial.While the ruling will keep Franco out of prison, it could further reduce the chance he will ever play in the major leagues again. According to a translation of a court document, the pardon applies to the punishment as opposed to the conviction, which is a key factor in the process.“We are aware of today’s verdict in the Wander Franco trial and will conclude our investigation at the appropriate time,” Major League Baseball said in a statement late Monday afternoon.Franco had originally been found guilty in June 2025 and sentenced to essentially two years’ probation, but after both sides appealed, a new trial was ordered. Monday’s verdict also can be appealed.The full judgment, with more details, is scheduled to be read in court at 9 a.m. on June 16.“The Tampa Bay Rays are aware of today’s ruling in the Dominican Republic involving Wander Franco,” the team said in a statement. “We respect the legal process and the decision issued by the court. This is a serious matter, and our thoughts remain with those affected by the case.“The Rays will continue to cooperate fully with Major League Baseball as it completes its review under the league’s Joint Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault and Child Abuse Policy. Out of respect for the legal process and all parties involved, we will have no further comment at this time.”If the latest verdict is upheld, it could end Franco’s career in the majors as it may be difficult to receive a necessary visa to work in the United States, given the crime for which he was found responsible is considered one of moral turpitude.Plus, Franco — who has not played for the Rays since August 2023 or been paid since July 2024 — also could face discipline by Major League Baseball, which had been awaiting resolution of the legal process before completing its own investigation.As long as Franco is unable to get the visa and report to play, the Rays would not be obligated to pay the $160 million remaining on the $182 million, 11-year contract they signed him to in November 2021, and the team could repurpose the money. They also could seek to have the contract voided on the moral turpitude issue.Upon leaving the courthouse, Franco said he has not personally contacted the Rays but was sure his attorneys had, according to The Associated Press.“To my fans, keep supporting me, trust in God and with the faith in God, I’ll soon be back,” said Franco, according to journalist Hector Gomez. “In this process, I learned to never give up and to value family. Value your family because they will always be there. I’ve always kept training thanks to my dad.“I will continue training and waiting for God’s decision.”Monday’s verdict was the result of Franco’s second trial in a year on charges of sexual abuse of a minor, stemming from a relationship with a then-14-year-old girl that started in December 2022, when Franco was 21, and continued until February 2023.Franco’s attorney, Teodosio Jáquez, told The Associated Press that he would have more to say after the June 16 ruling.“We don’t have the physical sentence in our hands, but he was exempted from punishment because the president of the court established that he was also a victim and because he is exempted from punishment through judicial pardon,” Jáquez said.The court on Monday partially granted a motion by the defense to exclude some witness statements, according to Recio. The court determined the statements would be part of the official record but would be given diminished weight because they did not follow rules regarding witness testimony.The defense based its appeal of the original trial due to evidence it claimed was improperly presented.The presiding, or senior, member of the judge panel said Monday that the alleged victim had acknowledged in two separate statements that she had a relationship with Franco, and that her mother’s testimony backed it up. But the judge also pointed out that the victim later contradicted those initial statements, Recio reported.Franco was found guilty by a Dominican Republic court last year and given a two-year suspended sentence, which is similar to probation, plus a fine.Both sides appealed the ruling — Franco’s side questioning the evidence against him, prosecutors seeking a five-year prison sentence — and in December a new trial was ordered, and then delayed several times for assorted reasons, until getting underway May 14.Prosecutors presented more than 100 pieces of evidence they said proved their case, including testimony, expert witnesses and financial records showing transfers from Franco’s family to the girl’s mother. There also was direct testimony from the girl in a private session which was then reviewed by a judge. Franco last played for the Rays on Aug. 12, 2023, the day before word of the relationship with the minor girl first surfaced on social media — a month after he made his first All-Star appearance.At the time, the switch-hitting shortstop was in the nascent stages of what was expected to be a stellar career, considered one of game’s top young all-around players, projected for stardom along the lines of Bobby Witt Jr. In 265 major-league games, Franco hit .282 with 30 home runs, 130 RBIs, a .795 OPS and, per baseball-reference.com, an 11.3 WAR rating.He was initially placed on administrative leave — a non-disciplinary measure under the league/union joint domestic violence, sexual assault and child abuse policy — and received a reduced portion of his $2 million salary at the start the 2024 season.But after charges were filed in July 2024, Franco was shifted to MLB’s restricted list and no longer paid as the pending changes prevented him from getting the necessary visa.Franco originally was charged with sexual abuse, sexual exploitation of a minor and human trafficking, and faced up to 20 years in prison.Prosecutors went forward with only the charge of sexual abuse, both physical and psychological, and also sought a five-year sentence at the first trial.One of the judges told reporters they opted for the lesser punishment given the complexity of the case, Franco’s age, his status as a first-time offender, the damage caused to his career and the pressure the girl’s mother was putting on him.• • • to get daily updates on the Bucs, Rays, Lightning and college football across Florida.Every weekday, tune into our Sports Day Tampa Bay podcast to hear reporter Rick Stroud break down the biggest stories in Tampa Bay sports.Never miss out on the latest with your favorite Tampa Bay sports teams. 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