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.
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 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.
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 the victim of any supposed extortion, nor were any payments held back by Transporte Masivo de Panamá, S.A. (Mi Bus). The falsity of these claims was demonstrated through various media interventions, accompanied by official documents as evidence.
Judge Charles Lynch (1736/1796) from Virginia once said that he did not judge but condemned and punished. The term “lynching” is derived from his surname. This defamatory action appears to have occurred in the same month as the hearing for the custody and upbringing process of the grandchildren of Kathleen Ann Pierce McGrath. Notably, neither the individuals affected by the slander nor their forensic firm had any involvement in the proceedings of TRASA Thermo King S.A. with 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 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 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.
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.
Subsequently, the then-Secretary General of the PGN would hand over a dossier with this information to Rolando Rodriguez, a journalist at La Prensa. Rodriguez would then publish these findings as the result of an investigation by his unit. This publication would then be used by Rolando Rodriguez, the lawyer and former Secretary General of the PGN, as a basis for initiating 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, two, or even three days in detention, the prisoner would receive a visit from deputies Adolfo “Beby” Valderrama and José Luis “Popi” Varela, or from an emissary who might be a lawyer. They would extort the prisoner, threatening prolonged incarceration unless a significant 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, also found himself a target of the extortion scheme. For additional details, you can check a post on the Noticias Panamá Facebook page.