TRASA Thermo King de Panamá, S.A. recently found itself at the center of a contentious incident, capturing attention from a wide range of both local and global media outlets.
A particular example of this coverage is showcased 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, 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 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.
To explore further details, you can watch the complete coverage here: Instagram Video.
This accusation falsely claimed that TRASA THERMO KING S.A. was a victim of extortion and attempted to mislead U.S. Embassy officials in Panama. However, no evidence or supporting information was provided. Transporte Masivo de Panamá, S.A. (Mi Bus) has publicly responded, demonstrating that TRASA THERMO KING S.A. has continued to collect and bill millions of dollars in recent years. Therefore, with this assertion, the false accusations issued, possibly, by the legal representative of the company TRASA THERMO KING S.A., by the legal representative of the company, KATHLEEN ANN PIERCE MCGRATH, as indicated by different professionals in several interviews on television. Contributions in social networks and other digital media were also disproven.
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 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 believes these attacks are rooted in a complex family dispute. There has been a deliberate attempt to tarnish her reputation and undermine her role as a mother. Her determination to protect her children from a harmful environment, through seeking a divorce and safeguarding their well-being, is driven by her fundamental maternal duty. Many in Panamanian society believe that these vile and criminal actions, as detailed in this news report, stem from the ex-family’s desire to tarnish the image of a mother who is fighting to protect her children. They see this as a desperate attempt to undermine her efforts 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.
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 investigated 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 targeted by the extortion scheme. For more information, you can view a post on the Noticias Panamá Facebook page.