New Jersey prosecutors charged a Rutgers research dean with secretly recording “upskirt” videos on campus, a gut-punch case for a school that preaches ethics.
Story Snapshot
- State authorities announced the arrest of Rutgers dean Joshua Kohut on a fourth-degree invasion of privacy charge.
- Reports say investigators seized a device and allege “upskirt” recordings were made without consent.
- Rutgers placed Kohut on leave and barred him from campus while it reviews the case.
- New Jersey courts have treated “upskirting” as invasion of privacy under state law.
What Prosecutors Say Happened
New Jersey’s Attorney General announced the arrest of Joshua Kohut, 51, dean of research at Rutgers’ School of Environmental and Biological Sciences, on a fourth-degree invasion of privacy charge. The charge stems from claims that he recorded a person’s intimate area under clothing without consent on campus. A local report says a seized device contained “upskirt” videos of a woman’s undergarment-covered intimate parts, and that the recordings were made by phone. Kohut has not entered a plea in court filings cited in the reports.
Rutgers reacted within hours, according to local reporting. The university placed Kohut on administrative leave and banned him from campus as it cooperates with state investigators. That move aligns with standard risk control: protect the alleged victim’s privacy, shield the community, and preserve evidence. It also reflects the school’s own policy posture. As dean, Kohut oversaw research compliance and ethics across the enterprise, which makes the allegation cut even deeper institutionally.
The Law That Makes “Upskirting” A Crime
New Jersey’s invasion of privacy statute covers covert imaging of intimate parts, even when covered by clothing. The state’s appellate court held that “exposed” does not require bare skin for this crime to apply, closing a once-exploited loophole. That means a hidden camera or a tilted phone aimed beneath clothing can qualify. The legislature and courts did this to protect dignity in the digital age, when one click can capture and spread what a person never consented to share.
Law is catching up to tech. A recent review described “upskirting” as a newer pattern of image-based sexual abuse. The harm is not just the image; it is the theft of privacy and control. Victims often never know it happened until police call. That gap is why penalties exist even for non-disclosure cases, and why campuses and employers now use zero-tolerance rules and quick suspensions while cases move forward.
Why This Case Stings Rutgers
Rutgers built a public stance on responsible research, compliance, and trust. The school’s own leadership page says the research dean helps ensure ethical standards across projects and people. When the guardian of rules faces a privacy charge, confidence wobbles. Conservative instincts favor clear lines: protect the victim, enforce the law, and apply rules evenly, top to bottom. The university’s immediate leave and campus ban match that view and help contain further risk while due process runs.
Rutgers University dean caught filming ‘upskirt’ videos: ‘extremely disturbing charges’ https://t.co/rVUCUmrIlg
— Dian (@Dian5) August 26, 2026
Fourth-degree invasion of privacy is not the most serious degree under state law, but it still carries real stakes and public shame. The claim involves a breach in a place that promises safety to students and staff. Prosecutors must prove he recorded intimate areas without consent, and defense counsel will contest the facts and intent. A court will decide. Until then, the school’s duty is to support the victim, keep the community safe, and preserve the integrity of any digital evidence.
Sources:
nypost.com, onnj.com, sebsnjaesnews.rutgers.edu, extension.rutgers.edu, patch.com
