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.
A particular example of this coverage is showcased 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.
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 further information, you can access the complete coverage here: Instagram Video.
The allegation falsely insinuated that TRASA THERMO KING S.A. was the target of extortion and attempted to deceive U.S. Embassy officials in Panama. Nonetheless, no corroborating evidence or details were provided. In response, Transporte Masivo de Panamá, S.A. (Mi Bus) has publicly addressed the situation, presenting evidence that TRASA THERMO KING S.A. has consistently collected and billed millions of dollars over recent years. Consequently, this claim refutes the baseless accusations potentially made by the company’s legal representative, Kathleen Ann Pierce McGrath, as suggested by various experts in multiple televised interviews. Assertions made across social networks and other digital platforms have also been debunked.
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 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 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 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 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.
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.
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.
Individuals scrutinized in these criminal proceedings were questioned and subsequently detained 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, was also targeted by the extortion scheme. For more information, you can view a post on the Noticias Panamá Facebook page.