SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic (AP) — Wander Franco, a shortstop for the Tampa Bay Rays, was launched Monday from a jail within the Dominican Republic amid an ongoing investigation into allegations he had a relationship with a 14-year-old woman.
Franco paid 2 million Dominican pesos ($34,000) as a sort of deposit required by a judge who on Friday ordered his conditional release.
Whereas Franco is free to go away the Dominican Republic, he was ordered to seem month-to-month earlier than authorities because the investigation continues.
Franco didn’t communicate to reporters who crowded round him after his launch Monday afternoon within the northern province of Puerto Plata, where he was detained a week ago.
The 22-year-old All-Star is accused of economic sexual exploitation and cash laundering, with prosecutors alleging he paid the teenager’s mom hundreds of {dollars} and gave her a automotive in change for her consent.
The woman’s 35-year-old mom is also charged within the case and was ordered held underneath home arrest. The AP shouldn’t be naming the girl with the intention to protect her daughter’s privateness.
It wasn’t instantly clear if the athlete deliberate to go away the Dominican Republic.
Franco was having an all-star season earlier than being sidelined in August, when Dominican authorities started investigating claims he had been in a relationship with a minor. Main League Baseball launched its personal investigation, inserting Franco on the restricted record on Aug. 14 earlier than shifting him to administrative leave on Aug. 22. Each investigations are ongoing.
Franco signed a $182 million, 11-year contract in 2021. His wage final 12 months and this 12 months is $2 million per season.
