Rutgers Dean Charged With Invasion of Privacy Over Alleged ‘Upskirt’ Videos

A Rutgers University research dean has been charged with invasion of privacy after New Jersey investigators said they found videos described as “upskirt” recordings on an electronic device seized during a search.

Joshua Kohut, 51, of Cranbury, was arrested Aug. 25 and charged by complaint with fourth-degree invasion of privacy, according to New Jersey Attorney General Jennifer Davenport and the state Division of Criminal Justice. Kohut serves as dean of research at Rutgers’ School of Environmental and Biological Sciences.

Prosecutors allege Kohut used a mobile phone to secretly record another person’s undergarment-clad intimate areas while working at Rutgers. Investigators executed a search warrant on Aug. 24 and seized electronic devices belonging to Kohut. A preliminary forensic examination of one device allegedly uncovered the videos.

Authorities have not publicly identified the person shown in the recordings or said whether that individual was a Rutgers student, employee or someone else associated with the university. Prosecutors also have not disclosed how many videos were found, when they were allegedly recorded, or whether investigators believe more than one person was recorded.

The Attorney General’s Office has asked anyone who believes they may have been a victim to contact investigators.

Rutgers placed Kohut on administrative leave after learning of the charge and barred him from campus while an investigation is pending.

Kohut faces up to 18 months in prison and a fine of as much as $10,000 if convicted of the fourth-degree charge, according to the Attorney General’s Office.

Under New Jersey law, a person commits fourth-degree invasion of privacy when they knowingly photograph, film, or otherwise record another person’s undergarment-clad intimate parts without consent and under circumstances in which a reasonable person would not expect those areas to be observed.

New Jersey law also allows people unlawfully recorded under the invasion-of-privacy statute to pursue a separate civil claim. Available remedies can include actual damages, statutory damages of at least $1,000 for each violation, possible punitive damages and attorney fees. A criminal conviction is not required, and no civil case tied to the allegations against Kohut has been announced.

Kohut is also a professor in Rutgers’ Department of Marine and Coastal Sciences and has spent much of his academic career at the university.

The charge against Kohut remains an accusation and has not been proven. He is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

Kohut was released on pretrial monitoring following his first court appearance in Middlesex County Superior Court. He is due back in court Oct. 8 for a pre-indictment conference as the state’s investigation continues.