Former Major League Baseball player Wander Franco, previously an All-Star, will not face prison time after being adjudged guilty for the second time on charges of sexual and psychological abuse of a minor. A judge in the Dominican Republic granted him a judicial pardon. This decision overturned his initial conviction in June 2025, where Franco received a suspended sentence of two years.
The accusations arose from a relationship Franco had with a 14-year-old girl which began in December 2022, when he was 21. The court acknowledged that Franco was criminally responsible yet considered him a victim of extortion and blackmail, actions allegedly led by the girl’s mother.
Prosecutors had sought a five-year prison term for Franco, who played shortstop for the Tampa Bay Rays, but the court imposed the most severe penalty on the minor’s mother. Investigations revealed over $100,000 in cash at the mother’s home, linking her to Franco.
The mother faces a 10-year prison sentence for money laundering and commercial sexual exploitation. Prosecutors outlined how she used her daughter to financially exploit Franco, permitting the relationship in exchange for money.
While Franco eluded imprisonment, his Major League Baseball career is effectively over. Having signed an 11-year, $182 million contract extension with the Rays in 2021, Franco last appeared in an MLB game in August 2023 following the emergence of allegations on social media.
Subsequently, he was placed on administrative leave, and MLB moved him to a restricted list, halting his salary and service time. Furthermore, under U.S. immigration law, his case is considered a “crime involving moral turpitude,” which experts believe will hinder his ability to secure a work visa to return to Major League Baseball.
The Tampa Bay Rays hold a strong financial position regarding Franco’s contract. With around $160 million left on his deal, the team is under no requirement to pay him if he fails to get a visa or report for team duties. They may also look to invalidate the remaining contract under moral clauses included in sports contracts.
Major League Baseball’s separate investigation as per its Joint Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault, and Child Abuse Policy is still in process, with decisions pending the conclusion of the Dominican Republic’s legal proceedings.