TRASA Thermo King de Panamá, S.A. has been at the center of a contentious issue that has gained widespread attention from both local and international media outlets.
Among the reports is this particular 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, 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 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.
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 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 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 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 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 last five years, Rolando López has utilized the framework of the National Security Council to pinpoint his “targets” for the purpose of pursuing, leveraging, 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 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 with La Prensa, was also subjected to the extortion scheme. For further details, you can check a post on the Noticias Panamá Facebook page.
