A senior dean at Rutgers University is under scrutiny after being caught filming inappropriate “upskirt” videos, New Jersey’s top law enforcement official announced on Tuesday.
Joshua Kohut, 51, who serves as the dean of research at the School of Environmental and Biological Sciences at Rutgers University, has been charged with fourth-degree invasion of privacy for allegedly recording inappropriate “upskirt” videos. This information comes from a joint press statement issued by state Attorney General Jennifer Davenport and the Division of Criminal Justice.
According to Davenport, Kohut is accused of using his mobile phone to secretly record “upskirt” videos without the victim’s awareness. She stated, “An invasion of privacy like this is not just disturbing, it is also a criminal act. We will prosecute accordingly.”
Authorities executed a search warrant on Monday, seizing devices belonging to Kohut. During a forensic examination, videos depicting an unidentified person’s “undergarment-clad intimate parts” were discovered on one of Kohut’s devices, as stated in the press release.
The New Jersey Attorney General’s office has not commented on whether Kohut specifically targeted students.
In response to the charges, Rutgers released a statement to The Post, stating that Kohut has been “placed on administrative leave after being informed of the extremely disturbing charges.” The university added, “The research dean is also banned from campus pending the outcome of an investigation.”
The university confirmed that Kohut is currently on paid leave. If convicted, he faces up to 18 months in prison and a fine of up to $10,000.
Rutgers announced Kohut’s appointment as dean in January 2025, mentioning that he would be “an active member of the Executive Dean’s leadership team.”
Kohut has a long association with Rutgers, having first attended the university as a graduate student around 28 years ago. He later became a professor in the Department of Marine and Coastal Sciences. He has “experienced the university in many capacities: student, staff, faculty, and administrator,” according to the release.
The NJ Attorney General’s office and Division of Criminal Justice are encouraging any potential victims to come forward with information.
If you or anyone you know may have been a victim of this defendant, you may contact the New Jersey Department of Law and Public Safety at: Lt. Jon Norcia 609-780-5449 or NorciaJ@njdcj.org.
