Tampa Bay Rays shortstop Wander Franco was released from jail in Puerto Plata on Monday, 8 January 2024 after he paid the RD$2 million bail. He had been under arrest since 1 January 2024.
He is accused of sexual abuse against a 14-year old minor. The court has allowed him to travel abroad. Since August 2023, he has been suspended from playing with the Tampa Bay Rays.
The media around the world has been following the case. In the Dominican Republic, it has brought to light a critical social situation many choose to ignore. The reality is that 20% of the births in the Dominican Republic are to minor girls. Sex with children is common and socially acceptable here, despite being banned by law. Sex with minors is banned by Law 136-03.
The media plays out the dim reality of the baseball player who has a US$182 million contract, was married, but continued to violate the law in having sex with minor girls.
An editorial by sportswriter Dionisio Soldevila in Diario Libre points out that it is unlikely that Wander Franco will play ball again in Major League Baseball. Soldevila says Franco has received about US$10 million of his US$182 million 11-year contract. He would have earned US$2.4 million in 2024.
Soldevila also points out that Franco needs a visa to reenter the US and this could be denied by the US Consulate, worsening his situation with the Tampa Bay Rays.
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Diario Libre
Diario Libre
Diario Libre
Diario Libre
Diario Libre
DR1 News
9 January 2024