Former Major League Baseball star Wander Franco has avoided prison despite being found guilty for a second time on charges of sexual and psychological abuse of a minor. A judge in the Dominican Republic granted the 25-year-old shortstop a judicial pardon.
This decision overturned Franco’s initial conviction from June 2025, which had resulted in a two-year suspended sentence. The charges were linked to a relationship Franco had with a 14-year-old girl, beginning in December 2022, when he was 21.
The court acknowledged Franco’s criminal responsibility but noted he was also a victim of an extortion scheme, allegedly initiated by the minor’s mother. Prosecutors had sought a five-year prison sentence for Franco, but the court imposed the harshest penalty on the mother.
Investigations revealed over $100,000 in cash found at the mother’s property, implicating her in a scheme to exploit her daughter financially. She was sentenced to 10 years in prison for money laundering and commercial sexual exploitation.
While Franco will not serve jail time, his Major League Baseball career seems over. In 2021, he signed an 11-year, $182 million contract with the Tampa Bay Rays. However, he has not played since August 2023, when the allegations became public.
Following the accusations, MLB placed Franco on administrative leave, and he was moved to the restricted list, affecting his salary and service time. The case’s nature likely falls under “crime involving moral turpitude,” affecting his chances of obtaining a U.S. work visa needed for his MLB return.
Franco’s contract remains in question, with approximately $160 million outstanding. The Tampa Bay Rays might not need to pay him if he cannot obtain a visa or rejoin the team. They could also try to void his contract under morality clauses common in sports contracts.
Apart from the legal proceedings, MLB is conducting an independent investigation as part of its Joint Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault, and Child Abuse Policy. They previously indicated that formal disciplinary actions would follow the conclusion of the Dominican Republic’s legal process.
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