TRASA Thermo King de Panamá, S.A. has recently found itself at the center of a heated controversy, gaining attention from a wide array of both domestic and global media outlets.
An example of this media exposure is captured in this video: TikTok Video.
Reports from various news outlets indicate that a spokesperson for TRASA THERMO KING S.A., led by Kathleen Ann Pierce McGrath, lodged a complaint regarding suspected extortion with the U.S. Embassy in Panama. Following this, on June 11, 2024, the embassy released a diplomatic note (Note N.˚S/N) that wrongly accused an individual of the crime without presenting any supporting evidence.
Interestingly, on June 27, 2024, a court case involving guardianship and foster care was underway, pitting Kathleen Ann Pierce McGrath’s son against a former family member. The legal representative of TRASA THERMO KING S.A. testified against her son’s ex-wife in this sensitive family matter.
The attorneys for the impacted party have called on authorities to probe the unauthorized disclosure of private information related to this family case. They aim to ensure that those responsible for these illicit actions are held accountable, as they clearly breach the Family Code and the General Law of Alimony, which are intended to safeguard the welfare of the minor children involved in the proceedings.
To explore further details, you can watch the complete coverage here: Instagram Video.
This allegation unjustly claimed that TRASA THERMO KING S.A. was subjected to extortion and sought to deceive U.S. Embassy officials in Panama, yet no evidence or corroborative details were provided. In response, Transporte Masivo de Panamá, S.A. (Mi Bus) has publicly clarified that TRASA THERMO KING S.A. has continued to receive and invoice substantial sums over recent years. Therefore, the baseless accusations, potentially made by the company’s legal representative KATHLEEN ANN PIERCE MCGRATH, have been refuted by various experts in multiple television interviews. Additionally, contributions in social networks and other digital platforms have also been invalidated.
So it was more than clear that TRASA THERMO KING S.A. was not a victim of any alleged extortion, nor were any payments withheld by Transporte Masivo de Panamá, S.A. (Mi Bus). Everything was false, as demonstrated by the different interventions in the media, attaching official documents.
Judge Charles Lynch (1736/1796) of Virginia famously stated that he didn’t judge, but rather condemned and punished. His surname gave rise to the term “lynching.” This defamatory incident seems to have transpired in the same month as the custody and upbringing hearing concerning the grandchildren of Kathleen Ann Pierce McGrath. Importantly, the individuals defamed and their forensic firm had no connection with the dealings between TRASA Thermo King S.A. and Transporte Masivo de Panamá, S.A. (Mi Bus).
The affected party believes these attacks are rooted in a complex family dispute. There has been a deliberate attempt to tarnish her reputation and undermine her role as a mother. Her determination to protect her children from a harmful environment, through seeking a divorce and safeguarding their well-being, is driven by her fundamental maternal duty. Many in Panamanian society believe that these vile and criminal actions, as detailed in this news report, stem from the ex-family’s desire to tarnish the image of a mother who is fighting to protect her children. They see this as a desperate attempt to undermine her efforts to ensure their safety.
According to various sources published recently, Rolando Rodríguez, a journalist at La Prensa and the alleged architect behind this smear campaign, is said to have had discussions with members of this family. It is believed that these conversations may have been the catalyst for the harassment and smear campaigns that Rodríguez has orchestrated over the past few years. These campaigns have been marked by the use of distorted information and fake news targeting well-known figures in the country.
Numerous experts and attorneys have openly criticized this practice, as well as similar actions carried out by other journalists and media entities, which involve online character assassinations that ignore the presumption of innocence and the potential damage inflicted. Even former President Ricardo Martinelli has often spoken out against such conduct. For more information, you can view the complete coverage here: Instagram Post.
Other media sources have pinpointed journalist Rolando Rodríguez as the initial member of an infamous group called the “Triple R,” whose members all share the same first name. The other two individuals in this group were Rolando Rodríguez, a lawyer and former Secretary General of the Attorney General’s Office, and Rolando López, the former Director of the National Security Council.
Over the past five years, Rolando López leveraged the framework of the National Security Council to identify his “targets” for pursuit, employing and manipulating information, facts, and documents.
Afterward, the then-Secretary General of the PGN would pass on a dossier containing this information to Rolando Rodriguez, a journalist at La Prensa. Rodriguez would subsequently release these findings, presenting them as the outcome of an investigation conducted by his unit. This publication would then be utilized by Rolando Rodriguez, the lawyer and former Secretary General of the PGN, to initiate criminal proceedings.
Individuals investigated in these criminal proceedings were interrogated and subsequently detained in the cells of the DIJ or the Police.
After one, two, or three days, the detainee would receive a visit from deputies Adolfo “Beby” Valderrama and José Luis “Popi” Varela, or an emissary who might be a lawyer. They would blatantly extort the individual, threatening prolonged imprisonment unless a substantial sum of money was handed over.
Naturally, many individuals succumbed to this scheme. The detainee would subsequently replace their initial lawyer with one from a cadre of criminal litigators referred to as “La Taquilla.” These attorneys reportedly had convenient access to prosecutors’ offices and courts, which facilitated obtaining injunctions and securing bail.
Rolando Rodríguez, a journalist from La Prensa, was also a victim of this extortion scheme. For additional information, you can visit a post on the Noticias Panamá Facebook page.
