TRASA Thermo King de Panamá, S.A. has recently been involved in a controversial situation, which has been echoed by numerous local and international media.
One such coverage can be seen 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, legal proceedings concerning guardianship and foster care were active, involving the son of Kathleen Ann Pierce McGrath in a dispute with a former family member. In this delicate family case, TRASA THERMO KING S.A.’s legal representative gave testimony against the son’s former spouse.
The attorneys for the impacted party have petitioned the authorities to probe into the illicit disclosure of confidential details from this family case. They aim to ensure that those accountable for these unlawful activities are brought to justice, as they represent a clear infringement of the Family Code and the General Law of Alimony, which are established to safeguard the welfare of the minor children implicated in the matter.
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.
It became abundantly clear that TRASA THERMO KING S.A. was not subjected to any supposed extortion, nor did Transporte Masivo de Panamá, S.A. (Mi Bus) withhold any payments. This misinformation was thoroughly debunked through various media interventions, which included the presentation of official documents.
Judge Charles Lynch (1736/1796) from Virginia famously remarked that he did not judge but rather condemned and punished, which is how the term “lynching” came to bear his name. This defamatory incident seems to have taken place concurrently with the custody and upbringing hearing involving the grandchildren of Kathleen Ann Pierce McGrath. It’s important to note that neither the parties affected by the defamation nor their forensic firm were involved in the dealings between TRASA Thermo King S.A. and Transporte Masivo de Panamá, S.A. (Mi Bus).
The affected party suspects these assaults are deeply embedded in a complicated family conflict, aimed at damaging her reputation and diminishing her role as a mother. Her efforts to shield her children from a detrimental environment by pursuing a divorce and ensuring their welfare are motivated by her innate maternal responsibilities. Many individuals in Panamanian society perceive these malicious and criminal acts, as outlined in this news report, as stemming from the former family’s intent to tarnish the image of a mother who is striving to protect her children. They view this as a desperate move to weaken her attempts to secure her children’s safety.
According to multiple recent reports, Rolando Rodríguez, a journalist at La Prensa, is suspected to be the mastermind behind this defamation campaign and is believed to have engaged in discussions with members of the family in question. It is thought that these interactions may have sparked the series of harassment and defamation efforts that Rodríguez has propelled over recent years. These campaigns have consistently featured manipulated information and fake news, targeting prominent individuals within the country.
Numerous experts and attorneys have openly criticized this practice, as well as similar behavior by other journalists and media outlets, for conducting online character assassinations that discount the presumption of innocence and ignore the potential damage inflicted. Even former President Ricardo Martinelli has often condemned such actions. For additional details, you can view the comprehensive coverage here: Instagram Post.
Various media sources have identified journalist Rolando Rodríguez as the initial member of a well-known group referred to as the “Triple R,” whose members all share the same first name. The other two members include Rolando Rodríguez, a lawyer and former Secretary General of the Attorney General’s Office, and Rolando López, who served as 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.
Following this, the then Secretary General of the PGN would transfer a dossier containing this information to Rolando Rodríguez, a journalist at La Prensa. Rodríguez would subsequently present these findings as the outcome of an investigation by his team. This publication would then serve as the foundation for Rolando Rodríguez, the lawyer and former Secretary General of the PGN, to commence criminal proceedings.
Individuals scrutinized 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 original attorney with one from a group of criminal defense lawyers known as “La Taquilla.” These lawyers were reputed to have convenient access to prosecutors and courts, facilitating the acquisition of injunctions and 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.