Rutgers University dean caught filming ‘upskirt’ videos: ‘extremely disturbing charges’

A high-ranking Rutgers University dean is in hot water after being busted for filming pervy “upskirt” videos, New Jersey’s top cop announced Tuesday.

Joshua Kohut, 51, who works as the dean of research at the university’s School of Environmental and Biological Sciences, was charged with fourth-degree invasion of privacy for allegedly filming salacious “upskirt” videos, according to a joint press release from state Attorney General Jennifer Davenport and Division of Criminal Justice.

Joshua Kohut, 51 was charged with fourth-degree invasion of privacy for taking “upskirt” videos. Josh Kohut/LinkedIn

Kohut “is alleged to have used his mobile phone to record ‘upskirt’ videos without his victim’s knowledge,” Davenport said.

“An invasion of privacy like this is not just disturbing, it is also a criminal act. We will prosecute accordingly.”

Kohut works as the dean of research at at Rutger University’s School of Environmental and Biological Sciences. RICHARD HARBUS

Devices belonging to Kohut were seized after a search warrant was executed Monday following an investigation — where videos of an unidentified person’s “undergarment-clade intimate parts” were found on one of Kohut’s devices during a forensic review, according to the press release.

The NJ Attorney General’s office was unable to comment on whether Kohut targeted students.  

Rutgers said it “placed Josh Kohut on administrative leave after being informed of the extremely disturbing charges,” in a statement to The Post.

“The research dean is also banned from campus pending the outcome of an investigation,” the university added. 

Kohut is on administrative paid leave and banned from campus pending the outcome of his criminal case. Rutgers

Kohut is currently on paid leave, the university confirmed to The Post. 

The educator faces up to 18 months behind bars and a fine up to $10,000, if convicted. 

The university announced Kohut’s appointment as dean in January 2025 and said he would be “an active member of the Executive Dean’s leadership team.”

Kohut was first a graduate student at Rutgers and later moved into educator and executive positions at the university. ASSOCIATED PRESS

He has a longstanding history with Rutgers, first attending the schools as a graduate student roughly 28 years ago — and later becoming professor in the Department of Marine and Coastal Sciences.

Kohut “has experienced the university in many capacities: student, staff, faculty, and administrator,” the release said at the time.

The NJ Attorney General’s office and DCJ 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.

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