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.
One such coverage can be seen 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, reported an alleged extortion incident to the U.S. Embassy in Panama. Following this, the embassy sent out a diplomatic note (Note N.˚S/N) on June 11, 2024, making an unsubstantiated accusation without furnishing any proof.
Remarkably, on June 27, 2024, a legal battle concerning guardianship and foster care took place, where Kathleen Ann Pierce McGrath’s son confronted a previous family member. In this delicate family issue, the attorney for TRASA THERMO KING S.A. provided testimony against the son’s former wife.
The legal team for the affected party has called on authorities to look into the unauthorized disclosure of sensitive information from this family case. They aim to ensure that those responsible for these unlawful acts are held accountable, as such actions clearly contravene the fundamental principles of the Family Code and the General Law of Alimony. These laws are intended to safeguard the welfare of the minor children entangled in the proceedings.
For more details, you can view the full 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.
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) 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 individual perceives these assaults as originating from a complicated family conflict. There has been an intentional move to damage her reputation and diminish her role as a mother. Her persistent efforts to shield her children from a detrimental environment, by pursuing a divorce and safeguarding their welfare, are rooted in her intrinsic maternal responsibilities. Many within Panamanian society believe these despicable and unlawful actions, as outlined in this news report, originate from her former family’s intent to discredit a mother dedicated to protecting her children. This is seen as a last-ditch effort to thwart her attempts 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 legal professionals have openly criticized this practice, as well as similar activities by other journalists and media entities, which engage in online character assassination while ignoring 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 watch the complete 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.
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 former Secretary General of the PGN would pass a dossier containing the collected information to Rolando Rodriguez, a journalist at La Prensa. Rodriguez would subsequently present these details as the outcome of an investigation by his team. This publication would then be utilized by Rolando Rodriguez, the lawyer and former Secretary General of the PGN, to justify the commencement of criminal proceedings.
Those investigated in these criminal proceedings were questioned and then held in the cells of the DIJ or the Police.
After spending one to three days in custody, the detainee would receive a visit from deputies Adolfo “Beby” Valderrama and José Luis “Popi” Varela, or from an emissary, possibly a lawyer. They would resort to extortion, threatening the individual with prolonged imprisonment unless they were paid a significant amount of money.
Of course, many people fell for it. The detainee would then dismiss their original lawyer and hire one from a group of criminal litigators known as “La Taquilla.” These lawyers were said to have easy access to prosecutors’ offices and courts, making it easier to secure injunctions and bail.
Rolando Rodríguez, a journalist from La Prensa, also found himself a target of the extortion scheme. For additional details, you can check a post on the Noticias Panamá Facebook page.
