Former member of Sunshine Band arrested

NEWARK, Ohio — A music producer who was an early member of KC and the Sunshine Band responsible for such hits as “Shake Your Booty” and “Keep It Comin’ Love” has acknowledged having sex with teenage boys, police said Wednesday.

Richard R. Finch, 56, was arrested Tuesday after a boy told authorities he’d had sexual contact with him at Finch’s home in Newark, the Licking County sheriff’s office said. The boy made the revelation last week.

Finch, while being interviewed at the sheriff’s office, admitted he’d had sex with that boy and others ranging in age from 13 to 17, police said.

Finch, a former bass player for the band and a seven-time Grammy Award winner, was being held at the sheriff’s office on $250,000 bond.

A message posted on the Web site of Richard Finch Productions Inc. said the allegations against the producer and song arranger were baseless.

“We will let due process happen through the legal system,” it said, “and through that, we are sure Mr. Finch will be vindicated from these unfounded allegations.”

No date had been set for Finch’s arraignment, said Sgt. Kevin Biller, who wouldn’t disclose the evidence that led to Finch’s arrest or the possible charges against him.

A statement from Harry Wayne “KC” Casey, who founded KC and the Sunshine Band, said that Finch was not a co-founder of the group as earlier reported.

"I created KC & The Sunshine Band in 1973," Casey's statement said. "Mr. Finch subsequently joined the band a year later. ... In the 30 years since, Mr. Finch has continuously held onto the illusion and given the impression that his contribution was much more integral than it actually was. Those stories are categorically untrue."

Casey's statement went on to say "the serious allegations confronting Mr. Finch have nothing to do with me nor with KC & The Sunshine Band. ... Our hearts go out to the alleged victims and their families."

The group produced a slew of disco and funk hits in the 1970s including “Get Down Tonight,” “That’s the Way (I Like It)” and “I’m Your Boogie Man.”