Latest news with #Franco
San Francisco Chronicle
15 hours ago
- Sport
- San Francisco Chronicle
Tampa Bay Rays' Wander Franco convicted of sexually abusing a child and gets a suspended sentence
PUERTO PLATA, Dominican Republic (AP) — Suspended Tampa Bay Rays shortstop Wander Franco was convicted of sexually abusing a child and handed a two-year suspended sentence Thursday. Franco was arrested last year after being accused of having a four-month relationship with a girl who was 14 at the time, and of transferring thousands of dollars to her mother to consent to the illegal relationship. Franco, now 24, was found not guilty of charges of sexual and commercial exploitation against a minor and human trafficking. Judge Jakayra Veras García said Franco made a bad decision as she addressed him during the ruling. 'Look at us, Wander,' she said. 'Do not approach minors for sexual purposes. If you don't like people very close to your age, you have to wait your time." Prosecutors had requested a five-year prison sentence against Franco and a 10-year sentence against the girl's mother, who was found guilty and will serve the full term. 'Apparently she was the one who thought she was handling the bat in the big leagues,' Veras said of the mother and her request that Franco pay for her daughter's schooling and other expenses. Franco's attorney, Irina Ventura, said she would appeal the judge's ruling: 'Evidently, justice was not done." Meanwhile, prosecutor Luis Martínez said he was pleased with the rulings but did not say whether the government would appeal. Before the three judges issued their unanimous ruling, Veras reviewed the extensive evidence prosecutors presented during trial, including testimony from 31 witnesses. 'This is a somewhat complex process,' Veras said. More than an hour into her presentation, Veras said: 'The court has understood that this minor was manipulated.' As the judge continued her review, Franco looked ahead expressionless, leaning forward at times. Franco, who was once the team's star shortstop, had signed a $182 million, 11-year contract through 2032 in November 2021 but saw his career abruptly halted in August 2023 after authorities in the Dominican Republic announced they were investigating him for an alleged relationship with a minor. Franco was 22 at the time. In January 2024, authorities arrested Franco in the Dominican Republic. Six months later, Tampa Bay placed him on the restricted list, which cut off the pay he had been receiving while on administrative leave. He was placed on that list because he has not been able to report to the team and would need a new U.S. visa to do so. While Franco awaited trial on conditional release, he was arrested again in November last year following what Dominican authorities called an altercation over a woman's attention. He was charged with illegally carrying a semiautomatic Glock 19 that police said was registered to his uncle. That case is still pending in court. After the ruling, Major League Baseball issued a brief statement noting it had collectively bargained a joint domestic violence, sexual assault and child abuse policy 'that reflects our commitment to these issues.' 'We are aware of today's verdict in the Wander Franco trial and will conclude our investigation at the appropriate time,' MLB said. ___
Yahoo
15 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Blackpool sign Argentine keeper Ravizzoli
Blackpool have signed Argentine goalkeeper Franco Ravizzoli following his release from Wycombe Wanderers at the end of last season. The 27-year-old made 42 league appearances for the Chairboys across two seasons following his move from MK Dons in 2023. Advertisement He represented both Independiente and River Plate's youth teams before moving to England and then sixth-tier club Eastbourne Borough in 2020. "Franco has had an impressive couple of seasons at this level, and we're looking forward to watching him progress further in his career here at Blackpool," Tangerines boss Steve Bruce told the club website.
New York Post
19 hours ago
- Sport
- New York Post
Will Wander Franco, convicted of sexually assaulting a minor, play in MLB again?
Rays shortstop Wander Franco received a two-year suspended prison after being found guilty of sexually abusing a minor in the Dominican Republic. The ruling has raised questions about the 24-year-old's MLB future. He is on MLB's restricted list and last played Aug. 12, 2023, and it's certainly possible he will not play again in the majors. 4 Dominican Major League Baseball player Wander Franco attends a trial at the Palace of Justice in Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic on June 26, 2025. Orlando Barría/EPA/Shutterstock Franco signed a franchise record 11-year, $182 million extension with the Rays in 2021 that can be worth up to $223 million and includes a club option for the 2033 season. Sportico noted how Thursday's ruling affects whether Franco will be allowed to enter the United States since he has a criminal record in a foreign country. Franco reportedly could remain in the United States from 2021-23 due to a visa, and this ruling could affect whether he can obtain another visa. ESPN said it's 'likely' Franco will have trouble getting a visa and he would remain on the restricted list without one. The U.S. Department of State can shoot down a visa application if an applicant has a criminal history, including sexual abuse, per Sportico. 4 wander Franco at his trial on June 26, 2025. AP MLB is still investigating the situation and could levy discipline on Franco. He is not paid while on the restricted list. The league could make him ineligible through its joint domestic violence, sexual assault and child abuse policy, although Franco could appeal such a decision, per Sportico. Franco also was charged in the Dominican Republic for illegal possession of a handgun in June and the case is pending, per ESPN. 4 Wander Franco in 2023. AP 'Major League Baseball is proud to have a collectively bargained Joint Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault and Child Abuse Policy that reflects our commitment to these issues,' the league said in a statement released Thursday, per 'We are aware of today's verdict in the Wander Franco trial and will conclude our investigation at the appropriate time.' The Rays could try to void the contract due to Franco violating clauses regarding conduct, with Franco being found guilty for sexually abusing a 14-year-old while he was 21. As Sportico noted, though, that could be a slippery slope, with the Padres losing a battle in 1987 after pitcher LaMarr Hoyt received a 45-day jail sentence. 4 Wander Franco #5 of the Tampa Bay Rays hits a two run homer against the Yankees during a 2023 game. Charles Wenzelberg/New York Post Tampa Bay could always just release Franco, although such a decision would almost surely come after the two-year sentence and following any potential MLB discipline. The sides could also attempt to negotiate a buyout. Should Franco become a free agent, it's still uncertain of whether any other teams would be willing to sign him following this conviction. MLB teams have not signed pitcher Trevor Bauer after he received a two-year suspension — eventually reduced to 192 games — following assault allegations. Bauer was not found guilty of a crime and has accused the league owners of being blackballed.
Global News
21 hours ago
- Sport
- Global News
Wander Franco convicted of sexually abusing child, gets suspended sentence
Suspended Tampa Bay Rays shortstop Wander Franco was convicted of sexually abusing a child and handed a two-year suspended sentence Thursday. Franco was arrested last year after being accused of having a four-month relationship with a girl who was 14 at the time, and of transferring thousands of dollars to her mother to consent to the illegal relationship. Franco, now 24, was found not guilty of charges of sexual and commercial exploitation against a minor and human trafficking. Judge Jakayra Veras García said Franco made a bad decision as she addressed him during the ruling. 'Look at us, Wander,' she said. 'Do not approach minors for sexual purposes. If you don't like people very close to your age, you have to wait your time.' Prosecutors had requested a five-year prison sentence against Franco and a 10-year sentence against the girl's mother, who was found guilty and will serve the full term. Story continues below advertisement 'Apparently she was the one who thought she was handling the bat in the big leagues,' Veras said of the mother and her request that Franco pay for her daughter's schooling and other expenses. Get breaking National news For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen. Sign up for breaking National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy Franco's lawyer, Irina Ventura, said she would appeal the judge's ruling: 'Evidently, justice was not done.' Meanwhile, prosecutor Luis Martínez said he was pleased with the rulings but did not say whether the government would appeal. Before the three judges issued their unanimous ruling, Veras reviewed the extensive evidence prosecutors presented during trial, including testimony from 31 witnesses. 'This is a somewhat complex process,' Veras said. More than an hour into her presentation, Veras said: 'The court has understood that this minor was manipulated.' Story continues below advertisement As the judge continued her review, Franco looked ahead expressionless, leaning forward at times. Franco, who was once the team's star shortstop, had signed a $182 million, 11-year contract through 2032 in November 2021 but saw his career abruptly halted in August 2023 after authorities in the Dominican Republic announced they were investigating him for an alleged relationship with a minor. Franco was 22 at the time. In January 2024, authorities arrested Franco in the Dominican Republic. Six months later, Tampa Bay placed him on the restricted list, which cut off the pay he had been receiving while on administrative leave. He was placed on that list because he has not been able to report to the team and would need a new U.S. visa to do so. While Franco awaited trial on conditional release, he was arrested again in November last year following what Dominican authorities called an altercation over a woman's attention. He was charged with illegally carrying a semiautomatic Glock 19 that police said was registered to his uncle. That case is still pending in court. After the ruling, Major League Baseball issued a brief statement noting it had collectively bargained a joint domestic violence, sexual assault and child abuse policy 'that reflects our commitment to these issues.' Story continues below advertisement 'We are aware of today's verdict in the Wander Franco trial and will conclude our investigation at the appropriate time,' MLB said. ___ Associated Press writers Dánica Coto in San Juan, Puerto Rico, and Ron Blum in New York contributed to this report.
Express Tribune
a day ago
- Sport
- Express Tribune
Wander Franco found guilty in sex abuse case and receives two-year suspended sentence
Tampa Bay Rays shortstop Wander Franco was found guilty Thursday in a sexual abuse case involving a minor in the Dominican Republic, according to The Associated Press. Franco received a two-year suspended sentence after being convicted of maintaining a four-month relationship with a 14-year-old girl and transferring thousands of dollars to her mother in exchange for consent. While Franco was found guilty of the relationship, he was acquitted of more severe charges, including sexual and commercial exploitation of a minor and human trafficking. Judge Jakayra Veras García delivered the ruling in Puerto Plata, warning Franco directly: 'Do not approach minors for sexual purposes. If you don't like people very close to your age, you have to wait your time.' Prosecutors had sought a five-year prison term for Franco and 10 years for the girl's mother, who was found guilty and will serve the full sentence. Referencing the mother's demands for money to cover the girl's education and other expenses, Veras remarked, 'Apparently she was the one who thought she was handling the bat in the big leagues.' Franco's attorney, Irina Ventura, stated she plans to appeal the ruling, claiming, 'Evidently, justice was not done.' Prosecutor Luis Martínez expressed satisfaction with the decision but did not say whether the government would appeal. Before delivering the verdict, the court reviewed testimony from 31 witnesses. 'The court has understood that this minor was manipulated,' Veras said. The trial comes nearly two years after Dominican authorities began investigating Franco, then 22, in August 2023. Once considered a cornerstone of the Tampa Bay Rays' future, Franco signed an 11-year, $182 million contract in 2021. He was later placed on MLB's restricted list and remains unable to return to the U.S. without a new visa. Franco also faces a separate firearm charge stemming from a November 2024 arrest involving an alleged altercation. That case is still pending. MLB acknowledged the court's verdict and stated that it will complete its internal investigation before deciding on further disciplinary action.
