Former Major League Baseball player Wander Franco, once a celebrated shortstop, has been granted a judicial pardon in the Dominican Republic, allowing him to avoid prison despite being found guilty of sexual and psychological abuse of a minor. The 25-year-old’s conviction was overturned by a judge, sparing him from a two-year suspended sentence initially handed down in June 2025.
Legal Proceedings and Controversy
The charges against Franco arose from a relationship with a 14-year-old girl that began in December 2022, when Franco was 21. The court acknowledged Franco’s criminal responsibility but also identified him as a victim of an extortion scheme allegedly orchestrated by the girl’s mother. Prosecutors had sought a five-year prison sentence for Franco, but the court imposed its harshest penalty on the mother, sentencing her to 10 years for money laundering and commercial sexual exploitation.
Investigations revealed that the mother had used her daughter to extract money from Franco, with over $100,000 found in her possession during a raid. This complex case highlights issues of exploitation and manipulation within familial relationships.
Impact on Franco’s Career
Franco’s professional baseball career in the United States is effectively over. Despite signing an 11-year, $182 million contract extension with the Tampa Bay Rays in 2021, Franco has not played in an MLB game since August 2023, when allegations first surfaced. He was placed on administrative leave, and his salary and service time were frozen.
Under U.S. immigration law, Franco’s case is likely classified as a “crime involving moral turpitude,” making it nearly impossible for him to secure a work visa to return to Major League Baseball. The Tampa Bay Rays, with approximately $160 million remaining on Franco’s contract, are not obligated to pay him if he cannot obtain a visa. The team may also seek to void the contract under morality clauses.
Ongoing Investigations
Major League Baseball’s independent investigation into Franco’s conduct under its Joint Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault, and Child Abuse Policy is still ongoing. The league had previously stated that it would wait for the conclusion of the Dominican Republic’s legal proceedings before deciding on any formal disciplinary action.
Original reporting: Fox News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
