KC and the Sunshine Band founder Harry Wayne Casey has released a statement to distance himself from former co-writer Richard Finch.
Finch was arrested for child abuse last week for allegedly having sex with boys aged from 13 to 17.Finch co-wrote the early hits of KC and the Sunshine Band such as ‘Boogie Shoes’, ‘Get Down Tonight’, ‘Keep It Coming Love’, ‘Please Don’t Go’, ‘I’m Your Boogie Man’ and ‘That's The Way I Like It’.
In a statement, Harry Wayne Casey said, “Richard Finch has not been a part of KC & The Sunshine Band for over 30 years. Because of the recent allegations, I would like to clarify certain misinformation about Mr. Finch in relation to the band.
“I created KC & The Sunshine Band in 1973. Mr. Finch subsequently joined the band a year later. While his talent contributed to the early success of the KCSB sound, his involvement ended in 1980. 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. Hence, that is why the band has always been called KC & THE SUNSHINE BAND.
“KC & The Sunshine Band continues to successfully flourish, having toured around the world for over 37 years. The serious allegations confronting Mr. Finch have nothing to do with me nor with KC & The Sunshine Band. Those legal issues associated with this case will be dealt with via the judicial system of the state of Ohio”.
Finch is not admitting guilt at this stage. A statement at his website reads, “On March 26, 2010, Mr. Finch engaged criminal defense counsel to represent him with respect to the pending allegations in Licking County, Ohio.
"Mr. Michael J. Connick (Cleveland, OH) of Connick & Associates Co. LPA and Mr. Thomas J. Connick (Cleveland, OH) of Webster Dubyak & Weyls Co. LPA
"As of this time, Mr. Finch’s attorneys are in the early stages of their investigation
.
"They would like to remind everyone that these are just allegations and that Mr. Finch is presumed innocent".
