A judge rejected Tampa Bay Rays shortstop Wander Franco's request to stop monthly check-ins with police as he awaits potential criminal charges related to his alleged sexual relationship with a 14-year-old girl, according to documents obtained by ESPN.
On Feb. 23, Franco's lawyers asked a judge in Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic, to remove reporting to authorities on the 30th of every month from the list of coercive measures levied against him in January as prosecutors continue to investigate the alleged relationship. Franco also requested the return of his bail, which was for 2 million Dominican pesos (around $34,000).
In the appeal, Franco's lawyers argued "the reasons behind the decision that was issued back in January had changed significantly." Judge Pascual Francisco Abreu Venezuela countered the request "must be rejected in its entirety, since the measure that has been imposed has a purpose. That is to ensure the presence of the accused in the process."
The judge reminded both Franco and the prosecutors that since last January a period of six months was given to present the formal accusation against the player. That period expires next July.
The case of Franco, the 23-year-old All-Star shortstop, has lingered for more than eight months after photos of him and the girl circulated on social media. In August, Franco was placed on paid administrative leave, a status that was reinstituted last week as Tampa Bay began its season.
Major League Baseball, which is investigating Franco, and the MLB Players Association agreed to a two-month administrative leave period, with the possibility for Franco's status to change depending on developments in the case, sources told ESPN.
While Franco has continued training in the Dominican Republic, his status with the Rays remains up in the air. The team still owes him $174 million over the next nine years of a long-term deal he signed in November 2021.