Alleged Rapist Pleads Not Guilty; His Attorney Says `He's Guilty'

Ronald C. McDonald, the 71-year-old who played Santa Claus for more than a decade in the Lake Forest Park area, pleaded not guilty today to raping several children.

But his attorney, Michael Danko, said his client's not-guilty plea was a formality.

"He's distraught, remorseful, somewhat overwhelmed. And he definitely wants to take responsibility for what he's done.

"He's guilty . . . there's no question in his mind - nor mine."

McDonald, who played Santa at the Lake Forest Park Towne Centre mall, last week told police he had been sexually molesting eight children the past six years.

Now, according to court papers, he has admitted to molesting at least 45 children over the past 60 years.

He was earlier charged with two counts of raping a 6-year-old girl. Yesterday, he was charged with two additional counts of first-degree rape and three counts of first-degree child molestation.

The new charges stem from his alleged abuse of three other children.

King County Senior Deputy Prosecutor Scott O'Toole said McDonald, if convicted, would receive a minimum of 17 to 18 years in prison.

McDonald's relatives have declined comment, though they released a statement through O'Toole in which they said they are suffering and trying to cope with what has happened since McDonald's arrest.

The statement read: "Members of our family have confronted our father, Ronald McDonald, and we are still learning to deal with this

terrible tragedy that has affected so many lives."

According to court documents, McDonald, whose white hair and wire-rimmed glasses prompted children to call him Santa year-round, was a pedophile who charmed parents with his Santa persona, then charmed their children with dolls and child videos.

Court papers filed with the new charges indicate McDonald admitted during discussions with a county police detective that his total number of victims - 45 - was much higher than what he had initially said.

Earlier, he said it's been six years since he began doing "horrible things" to eight children who loved and trusted him.

McDonald has said that all the abuses took place in his home.

Ronald K. Fitten's phone message number is 206-464-3251. His e-mail address is: ronf-new@seatimes.com