Barring a major turnaround, Wander Franco's MLB career is likely over. But that's not what's important in the story, the real victim is not the Tampa Bay Rays shortstop if all the allegations against him prove true.
And by the way, Franco will be back in a courtroom next week, on February 8, according to judicial officials in the Dominican Republic.
This time, his presence will be required as a judge questions the teenager at the center of the investigation into alleged sexual abuse.
Once Judge Marcelino Henriquez conducts the hearing, he will be able to certify the minor's anticipated testimony so that it can be included in any formal charges that prosecutors file against Franco, without her needing to appear in court. trial.
Then another judge will decide whether Franco will go to trial, a process that could stretch into the summer. Prosecutors have until July 5 to file formal charges, but they will also have the option to request a two-month extension to conclude their investigation.
Franco is accused of physical and sexual abuse and commercial sexual exploitation of a minor. At the time of the alleged relationship, Franco was 21 and the girl was 14.
According to prosecutors, the girl's testimony and the testimony of other members of her family, Franco paid the girl's mother thousands of dollars and other gifts, in exchange for the mother's consent to have a relationship sexual with his daughter.
The charges against Franco carry a sentence of three to twenty years in prison.
