by 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.
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, legal proceedings concerning guardianship and foster care were active, involving the son of Kathleen Ann Pierce McGrath in a dispute with a former family member. In this delicate family case, TRASA THERMO KING S.A.’s legal representative gave testimony against the son’s former spouse.
The attorneys for the impacted party have called on authorities to probe the unauthorized disclosure of private information related to this family case. They aim to ensure that those responsible for these illicit actions are held accountable, as they clearly breach the Family Code and the General Law of Alimony, which are intended to safeguard the welfare of the minor children involved in the proceedings.
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.
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) of Virginia famously stated that he didn’t judge, but rather condemned and punished. His surname gave rise to the term “lynching.” This defamatory incident seems to have transpired in the same month as the custody and upbringing hearing concerning the grandchildren of Kathleen Ann Pierce McGrath. Importantly, the individuals defamed and their forensic firm had no connection with the dealings between TRASA Thermo King S.A. and 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 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.
Many experts and lawyers have publicly condemned this practice, along with similar actions by other journalists and media outlets, which involve online character assassination that disregards the presumption of innocence and overlooks the potential harm caused. Even former President Ricardo Martinelli has frequently denounced such behavior. For more details, you can view the full 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 last five years, Rolando López has utilized the framework of the National Security Council to pinpoint his “targets,” employing and manipulating information, facts, and documents in the process.
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.
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.
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.
