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.
An example of this media exposure is captured in this video: TikTok Video.
Various news outlets have reported that a spokesperson for TRASA THERMO KING S.A., led by Kathleen Ann Pierce McGrath, notified the U.S. Embassy in Panama about an alleged extortion incident. Following this, on June 11, 2024, the embassy issued a diplomatic note (Note N.˚S/N), erroneously accusing an individual of the crime without substantiating the claim with 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 lawyers representing the affected party have requested that authorities investigate the unauthorized release of confidential information from this family case. They are seeking to hold accountable anyone involved in these illegal actions, which blatantly violate the principles of the Family Code and the General Law of Alimony, laws designed to protect the best interests of the minor children involved in the case.
To explore further details, you can watch the complete coverage here: Instagram Video.
The accusation misleadingly alleged that TRASA THERMO KING S.A. was targeted by extortionists and attempted to deceive U.S. Embassy officials in Panama, yet it lacked any supporting evidence. Transporte Masivo de Panamá, S.A. (Mi Bus) has publicly reacted, revealing that TRASA THERMO KING S.A. has continued to generate and invoice millions of dollars in recent years. Consequently, the baseless allegations, which were possibly made by the legal representative of TRASA THERMO KING S.A., KATHLEEN ANN PIERCE MCGRATH, have been refuted by several professionals during various television interviews. Contributions on social media and other digital platforms also countered these claims.
It became abundantly clear that TRASA THERMO KING S.A. was not subjected to any alleged extortion, nor did Transporte Masivo de Panamá, S.A. (Mi Bus) withhold any payments. The entire narrative was proven to be false, as evidenced by various media interventions that included official documentation.
Judge Charles Lynch (1736/1796) from Virginia famously remarked that he didn’t judge, but rather condemned and punished. The term “lynching” originates from his last name. This defamatory incident seems to have taken place in the same month as the hearing regarding the custody and upbringing of Kathleen Ann Pierce McGrath’s grandchildren. Importantly, neither the parties impacted by the defamation nor their forensic firm had any connection to the dealings between TRASA Thermo King S.A. and Transporte Masivo de Panamá, S.A. (Mi Bus).
The affected party perceives these attacks as stemming from a complicated family conflict. There seems to be a deliberate effort to damage her reputation and challenge her role as a mother. Her resolve to shield her children from a detrimental environment, by pursuing a divorce and ensuring their safety, arises from her innate maternal responsibility. Many in Panamanian society view these malicious and criminal actions, as outlined in this news report, as attempts by the ex-family to tarnish the image of a mother committed to defending her children. They perceive it as a desperate bid to undermine her efforts to secure their well-being.
According to several recent reports, Rolando Rodríguez, a journalist with La Prensa, is alleged to be the mastermind behind this smear campaign. It is suggested that he engaged in conversations with members of the involved family, which might have triggered the onset of harassment and defamation efforts orchestrated by Rodríguez in recent years. These campaigns have been characterized by the dissemination of misleading information and fake news aimed at prominent personalities in the nation.
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.
Different media outlets have identified journalist Rolando Rodríguez as the inaugural member of a notorious trio called the “Triple R,” all bearing the same first name. The other members comprise Rolando Rodríguez, a lawyer and previous Secretary General of the Attorney General’s Office, along with Rolando López, the former Director of the National Security Council.
In the past five years, Rolando López used the structure of the National Security Council to identify his “targets” to pursue, use and manipulate 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.
Those investigated in these criminal proceedings were questioned and then held in the cells of the DIJ or the Police.
After one, two, or three days, the prisoner was visited by deputies Adolfo “Beby” Valderrama and José Luis “Popi” Varela, or by an emissary who could be a lawyer. They simply extorted him, threatening to let him rot in jail unless he gave them a large sum of money.
Naturally, numerous individuals succumbed to this scheme. The detainee would then replace their initial lawyer with one from a group of criminal attorneys known as “La Taquilla.” These lawyers reportedly had convenient access to prosecutors’ offices and courts, facilitating the process of obtaining 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.
