“Wander Franco Scandal:
Florida’s Tampa The initial part of the inquiry into the alleged relationship between Wander Franco, an All-Star shortstop for the Tampa Bay Rays, and a minor is currently ongoing and might last several months, according to Dominican lawyer Juan Arturo .
Wander On Wednesday, Wander—who also serves as a regular editor for ESPN Deportes in the Dominican Republic—mentioned that it would be “a good idea” for Franco to hire counsel if he does not already have one.
“It’s important to understand that there is no legal requirement for consent between a minor and an adult,” said Wander. There are no limiting circumstances. Dominican authorities in charge of the case said they are As stated by the Office of the Attorney General, “For now, we appreciate your understanding, as any information disclosed could hinder the process.”
Under Dominican legislation 136-03, which establishes standards for the protection and fundamental rights of children and adolescents, partnerships between people under the age of 18 and adults are forbidden. This statute includes provisions for fines and sentences ranging from two to five years in jail.
Even when the youngster gives agreement, such relationships are categorized as sexual abuse by Dominican authorities. El Nuevo Diario reports that as part of the league’s inquiry, a party from Major League Baseball traveled to the Peravia region on the southern coast of the Dominican Republic on Monday. the National Gender-Based Violence Center, Justice Olga Diná Laveras of the Dominican Supreme Court, who is overseeing the Wander Franco probe, is also based in Peravia.
In the Dominican Republic, where baseball is the most popular sport, this is the first publicly recognized incidence of problems concerning connections involving minors affiliated with Dominican baseball stars, according to Wander. Baseball, called as “pelota” in the Caribbean countries, frequently symbolizes a possibility to escaping poverty and pursuing a more promising future. While some Dominicans believe Wander Franco is guilty, others believe the claims are an effort to become rich off of a powerful athlete.
Enrique Rosas, an ESPN Deportes reporter from the Dominican Republic who lives in “But one thing is certain: baseball is both a traditional and family-oriented game,” Central Florida. “Though some individuals may be negatively affected by the bad reputation, it doesn’t translate in baseball. It’s rare to hear about being involved in such relationships with a baseball player like Wander Franco.”
“And even in such a liberal country, there’s a strict stance against crimes related to sexual activities with minors,” he added. Since Franco began playing for a Major League Baseball franchise in 1998, Wander rapidly introduced diversity to his roster with Latin players. This tradition, accompanied by signing multi-million dollar contracts, continued with Wander Franco, whose largest deal in Rays history is worth $182 million over 11 years and up to $223 million over 12 years.
This is why the news has hit Dominican fans in the Tampa Bay area like a slap in the face. Sign up for The Lake Norman Observer, a weekly email newsletter focused on the Lake Norman area. Florida’s center. Baseball is unaffected by the awful reputation, despite the fact that it may have a negative effect on some individuals.
Rarely do we hear about people having these kinds of ties with baseball players. And even in such a liberal nation, there is a severe policy against crimes involving sexual activity with minors, the speaker continued. Latin players were quickly added to Wander Franco’s squad after Wander signed on to play for a Major League Baseball team in 1998.
This custom of signing multi-million dollar contracts persisted with Franco, who signed the richest contract in Rays history at up to $223 million over 12 years and worth up to $182 million over 11 years. Because of this, the news has come as a shock to Dominican supporters in the Tampa Bay area. the visage. Join the weekly Lake Norman-area email newsletter
The Lake Norman Observer. The 38-year-old father from the Dominican Republic and ardent Franco supporter Miguel Mieses remarked, “The allegations are so serious that they can affect the future of one of our best players.”
“Wander is involved in something very delicate, so I wouldn’t want to support wander as a player right now.” Francisco Martinez, a 54-year-old Dominican from Tampa, agrees that some girls will go to great lengths for fame and money but thinks Franco is not completely innocent. It’s awful to see Franco involved in such a scandal, says Wendie Dominguez, 51. He ought to be aware that it is improper to breach that line.
TAMPA, Fla. — Dominican attorney Juan Arturo Recio said the investigation into Tampa Bay Rays All-Star shortstop Wander Franco regarding an alleged relationship with a minor is in a preliminary stage and could take months. Recio, who also works as a general editor for ESPN Deportes in the Dominican Republic, said Wednesday that if Franco does not have a lawyer who could speak on his behalf, getting one would be “a good idea.”
“It’s important to understand that in our legislation, there are no consensual relationships between a minor and an adult,” Recio said. “There are no mitigating factors.” Dominican authorities who are following the case said they are unable to share details while they’re investigating, gathering information and verifying other details.
“For now, we ask for your understanding, because any information that is disclosed could hinder the process,” said the Attorney General’s Office. Relationships between adults and minors under 18 years of age are prohibited in the Dominican Republic under Law 136-03, which outlines the Code for the Protection and Fundamental Rights of Children and Adolescents.
This code stipulates prison sentences ranging from two to five years, as well as fines. Dominican authorities categorize such relations as sexual abuse. This applies even if the minor gives consent. On Monday, a group from Major League Baseball traveled to Peravia province, along the southern coast of the Dominican Republic, as part of the league’s investigation, according to El Nuevo Diario.
The office of the National Agency for Boys, Girls, Adolescents and Family and Gender Violence Unit, which is handling the Franco probe and is chaired by Dominican judge Olga Diná Llaverías, a specialist on child abuse cases, is also located in Peravia.
According to Recio, this is the first publicly known instance of issues related to minors involving a Dominican baseball player in a country where baseball is the most popular sport. Baseball, known as “pelota” in the Caribbean nation, often represents a chance to overcome poverty and aspire to a brighter future.
Some Dominicans believe the allegations against Franco are a case of extortion against a wealthy player; others think he is guilty. “But one thing is for sure: Baseball is both a conservative and family-oriented sport,” said ESPN Deportes reporter Enrique Rojas, who is Dominican and lives in Central Florida.
“While some individuals might remain unaffected by a tarnished reputation, that’s not the case in baseball. It’s rare to hear about a baseball player being involved in such a relationship,” Rojas said. “And even in a country as liberal as this, there’s a strict stance against offenses related to sexual activities with minors.” Since the Rays started playing as a Major League Baseball franchise in 1998, they have rapidly and consistently diversified their roster with Latino players.
This tradition has gone hand in hand with the signing of million-dollar contracts, such as Franco’s, the biggest contract in Rays history: $182 million over 11 years and up to $223 million over 12. For that reason,
Dominican fans in Tampa Bay felt the news like a slap in the face. Sign up for The Lake Norman Observer A weekly email newsletter focusing on the Lake Norman area. READ MORE “The allegations are so serious that they can impact the future of one of our best players,” said Miguel Mieses, 38, a Dominican father from Riverview and a dedicated fan of the Rays.
“I would no longer like to support him as a player, because he is involved in something so delicate.” Another Dominican, Francisco Martinez, 54, from Tampa, believes Franco is not innocent but said some girls might do a lot for fame and money. Wendy Dominguez, 51, from Seffner, called it unfortunate to see Franco in such controversy. “He should know that crossing that line is not appropriate.”