Wander Franco Trial Delayed Despite Lawyers’ Request to Beat Spring Training Deadline

Wander Franco’s sexual abuse and human trafficking lawsuit has been moved to June 2. It was previously scheduled to begin in the Dominican Republic on Thursday, but prosecutors requested a delay due to issues with getting witnesses into court. They ultimately won out despite a request from Franco’s lawyers to complete the trial in time for spring training.

Franco was moved to the Rays’ restricted list after he was formally charged last summer, which was described as a strictly administrative move because he couldn’t enter the United States. Regardless, the move cut off payments that he had been receiving while on administrative leave.

“There is no case against Wander, for as many witnesses as they present, there is no case now,” said Teodosio Jáquez, Franco’s lead lawyer.

Franco, 23, is accused of having a relationship with a 14-year-old-girl when he was 21 that involved paying the minor’s mother about $1,700 per month and buying her a car. He is standing trial for three charges of sexual abuse, human trafficking, and sexual exploitation against a minor, and faces up to 20 years in prison. The mother is under house arrest and has been charged with money laundering. Prosecutors say thousands of dollars have been found in the mother’s home that they believe came from Franco.

WhatsApp messages prosecutors allege Franco sent to the minor have also emerged. “If my team realizes this, it could cause problems for me,” they allege he wrote in Spanish. “It is a rule for all teams that we cannot talk to minors, and yet I took the risk and I loved it.”

Franco signed an 11-year, $182 million deal with Tampa Bay in 2021. Allegations from multiple girls emerged on social media, and Franco left the team in 2023. His last MLB game was Aug. 12, 2023.

Initially, Franco, the team, league, and players’ union worked out a deal for him to be placed on administrative leave, meaning he was still receiving payments and major league service time. He had been receiving half of his $2.4 million base salary until July 2024 when the Rays moved him to the restricted list, cutting off his money and service clock.

Franco is also under MLB investigation under the league and union’s joint domestic violence, sexual assault, and child abuse policy, which do not require a criminal conviction to punish players.

Franco still wants to return to MLB, saying he “did not ‘had’ a career,” pointing out the past tense was inaccurate. “This is not over,” he told reporters.

The 2023 All-Star is also facing charges for illegal possession and use of a firearm after an incident in the Dominican Republic last month, and that case is still awaiting a court date.

If Franco is found guilty and sent to prison, he would likely be barred from the United States, which would void his contract; even if he is convicted on lesser charges, he may have a steep climb to returning to MLB or the United States.