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Tampa Bay Rays shortstop Wander Franco was arrested Monday in the Dominican Republic after appearing before prosecutors to answer questions about an alleged misplaced relationship with a minor, according to the Associated Press.
The Associated Press reported that Franco was arrested after his nearly three-hour interview with prosecutors, according to an official at the Puerto Plata provincial prosecutor’s office. The user spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because it’s not legal to discuss the case. . Franco was accompanied by two lawyers.
Last week, the government failed to locate Franco at two other relatives’ residences. Prosecutor Olga Diná Llaverías had originally asked Franco to appear in court on Dec. 28, according to the AP.
Franco met with officials from the Department of Gender Violence in Puerto Plata, according to the Spanish-language website Diario Libre. The assembly was also broadcast via a source to ESPN Digital.
Franco, 22, was shortlisted last August after allegations surfaced on social media. He took paid administrative leave a short time later, when Major League Baseball opened its own investigation, one that continues with others through Dominican authorities.
Franco, who made the American League All-Star team for the first time in 2023, has denied the allegations.
The shortstop was having his best season as a major leaguer, hitting .281 with 17 home runs and 30 stolen bases in 112 games when the allegations surfaced.
The Rays signed Franco to an 11-year, $182 million contract in November 2021. The team put him back on the 40-man roster last month since administrative leave is only applicable during the regular season. He will continue to be paid and accrue service time while he is away from the team.
This article was printed in USA TODAY: Wander Franco Investigation: SS Rays Arrested After Interrogation in Dominican Republic