SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic — A prosecutor in the Dominican Republic says an investigation into Tampa Bay Rays All-Star shortstop Wander Franco is being handled by a division specializing in minors and gender violence in the province of Peravia.
Ángel Darío Tejeda Fabal, a prosecutor in Peravia, told The Associated Press on Wednesday that the investigation into Franco is open under the National Agency for Boys, Girls, Adolescents and Family and Gender Violence Unit.
He said the probe is in its early stages and will be chaired by Judge Olga Diná Llaverías, a specialist in child abuse cases. «This is a very delicate topic because there is a minor involved,» Fabal said. «We are working together [with Judge Llaverías].» Fabal said prosecutors are gathering evidence and testimonies but did not provide details. «Next week, we might be able to give some of the necessary information without hurting the investigation,» he said.
The prosecutor added he has had no contact with Major League Baseball executives or U.S. authorities about the case. Franco was born in Baní, the capital of the Peravia province.