Tampa Bay Rays Star Allegedly Paid Thousands to Mother of Minor He Had Relationship With: Report

Chris O’Meara/AP

Tampa Bay Rays shortstop Wander Franco allegedly made payments to the mother of the minor he had a sexual relationship with, Dominican prosecutors said Wednesday.

Franco was placed on administrative leave in August after rumors began circulating online that Franco dated an underage girl. Shortly after, prosecutors from his home country announced their own investigation into the matter.

In late December, some thought Franco was on the run when he failed to appear at a scheduled meeting with prosecutors. He arrived days later and was arrested following the three-hour interview.

On Wednesday, prosecutors accused him of making monthly payments to the mother of the girl. They requested that a judge place both Franco and the mother under house arrest.

According to Grupo SIN reporter Martin Rodriguez, Franco paid the mother hundreds of thousands of Dominican pesos.

“The (Public Ministry) says that Wander Franco, after having had relations with the 14-year-old girl, began paying monthly payments of 100 thousand pesos to the girl’s mother,” Rodriguez said in a tweet translated from Spanish. “In addition, Wander’s mother made 3 transfers to the teenager’s mother. (Two) of 500 thousand and one of 1 million.”

Dice el MP que Wander Franco, después de haber sostenido relaciones con la joven de 14 años empezó a pagar mensualidades de 100 mil pesos a la madre de la joven.
Además que la madre de Wander hizo 3 transferencias a la madre de la adolescente. 2 de 500 mil y una de 1 millón.

— Martín Rodriguez (@Martinrodriv) January 3, 2024

For reference, 100,000 Dominican pesos equates to a little over $1,700 U.S. dollars.

Rodriguez added that authorities found money and a car — allegedly paid for by Franco — at the mother’s house.

La joven del caso Wander Franco tiene 15 años en estos momentos, dice el Ministerio Público.
Cuando allanaron la casa de la madre de la adolescente encontraron 800 mil pesos dominicanos en billletes y 68 mil dólares en billetes, y un vehículo pagado supuestamente por Franco.

— Martín Rodriguez (@Martinrodriv) January 3, 2024

The judge will issue a ruling Friday after reviewing evidence. According to the Associated Press, the judge will decided whether to “release Franco on bond, temporarily arrest him, prevent him from leaving the Dominican Republic or demand that he make occasional appearances until the investigation or a trial has ended.”