SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic
Wander Franco Accused of Commercial Sexual Exploitation and Money Laundering
Dominican prosecutors on Wednesday accused Wander Franco of commercial sexual exploitation and money laundering following allegations that the Tampa Bay Rays shortstop had a relationship with a minor whose mother also faces the same charges.
Prosecutors requested that a judge hold Franco on an $86,000 bond, bar him from leaving the Dominican Republic and place him under house arrest. They noted that the money laundering charges stem from allegations that Franco made payments to the minor’s mother.
Prosecutors also asked that the judge prohibit the minor’s mother from leaving the country and place her under house arrest.
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“These measures requested by the Public Ministry seek to guarantee the integrity of the process,” the ministry said in a statement.
Prosecutors also delivered evidence to a judge who is expected to soon rule on Franco’s future.
The judge is scheduled to analyze the documents and other evidence collected during a monthslong investigation and issue a ruling Friday in a courtroom in the northern Dominican Republic province of Puerto Plata, where the alleged crimes occurred.
The judge has several options: 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.
The 22-year-old All-Star player remains in jail for now after being detained Monday in Puerto Plata.
His attorney, Teodosio Jáquez Encarnación, has declined to talk to the media, saying only that Franco is doing fine.
Prosecutors also have declined to comment.
Authorities have not shared details of the case, although prosecutors said Aug. 14 that Franco was being investigated because of social media postings suggesting he had a relationship with a minor. The AP has not been able to verify the reported posts.
On Dec. 26, police and prosecutors visited two of Franco’s properties located in his hometown of Baní, just southwest of the capital of Santo Domingo, but the player was not there.
Last Thursday, a prosecutor requested that Franco appear, but he did not do so until Monday, when he was detained following a nearly three-hour interview.
Major League Baseball placed Franco on administrative leave in August under its joint domestic violence, sexual assault and child abuse policy with the players’ association. He has been paid and received service time while on leave.
There is no timetable for a conclusion of the MLB’s investigation and whether the results might lead to discipline by the league.
SDGs, Targets, and Indicators Analysis
1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?
- SDG 5: Gender Equality
- SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
- SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions
2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?
- Target 5.2: Eliminate all forms of violence against all women and girls in the public and private spheres, including trafficking and sexual exploitation.
- Target 8.7: Take immediate and effective measures to eradicate forced labor, end modern slavery and human trafficking, and secure the prohibition and elimination of the worst forms of child labor.
- Target 16.2: End abuse, exploitation, trafficking, and all forms of violence against and torture of children.
3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?
- Indicator for Target 5.2: Number of cases of commercial sexual exploitation and trafficking of women and girls reported and prosecuted.
- Indicator for Target 8.7: Number of prosecutions and convictions for human trafficking and forced labor.
- Indicator for Target 16.2: Number of cases of abuse, exploitation, trafficking, and violence against children reported and prosecuted.
Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 5: Gender Equality | Target 5.2: Eliminate all forms of violence against all women and girls in the public and private spheres, including trafficking and sexual exploitation. | Number of cases of commercial sexual exploitation and trafficking of women and girls reported and prosecuted. |
| SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth | Target 8.7: Take immediate and effective measures to eradicate forced labor, end modern slavery and human trafficking, and secure the prohibition and elimination of the worst forms of child labor. | Number of prosecutions and convictions for human trafficking and forced labor. |
| SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions | Target 16.2: End abuse, exploitation, trafficking, and all forms of violence against and torture of children. | Number of cases of abuse, exploitation, trafficking, and violence against children reported and prosecuted. |
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Fuente: espn.com
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