Rutgers University has placed Joshua Kohut, dean of research for its School of Environmental and Biological Sciences, on administrative leave following his arrest and charges of fourth-degree invasion of privacy. The New Jersey Attorney General's office announced the charges, alleging that Kohut, 51, used his mobile phone to record "upskirt" videos of another person without their knowledge.
An investigation led to the seizure of Kohut's electronic devices. According to a criminal complaint, one of five devices searched allegedly contained videos of "the undergarment-clad intimate parts of another person." The incident reportedly occurred on the Rutgers New Brunswick campus. The attorney general's office stated that such actions are not only disturbing but also criminal.
Kohut's victim was known to him, though it remains unclear if the individual was a coworker or a student. He has been involved with Rutgers for many years, previously serving as a graduate assistant from 1997 to 2002. He was appointed dean of research in 2025, a role in which he was expected to oversee the university's research enterprise and ensure adherence to ethical standards.
Kohut, a New Jersey native, was released on bail. If convicted, he faces up to 18 months in jail and a fine of up to $10,000. The university has stated that Kohut is banned from campus pending the outcome of the investigation.
Kohut resides in Cranbury with his wife, Courtney Kohut, who serves as an assistant director at Princeton University. When contacted by the Daily Mail, she declined to comment on the charges against her husband.