Full Breakdown
Rutgers Dean Charged with Fourth-Degree Invasion of Privacy Over Alleged Upskirt Video
8/26/2026, 9:45:36 PM
Core Event: Alleged Recording and Criminal Charge
Joshua Kohut, 51, dean of research for Rutgers University’s School of Environmental and Biological Sciences, has been charged with fourth-degree invasion of privacy after investigators say a video showing another person’s “undergarment-clad intimate parts” was found on one of his seized mobile devices. The New Jersey Attorney General’s Office announced the charge on August 25, stating that the alleged conduct occurred while Kohut was employed at the university.
Background & Context
Kohut earned a Ph.D. in physical oceanography from Rutgers in 2002 and has served on the faculty since 2008, becoming dean of research in January 2025. The charge marks the first criminal allegation of this nature against a senior Rutgers administrator.
Timeline
- August 24, 2026 (scheduled): A search warrant is slated to be executed on Kohut’s residence, with authorities planning to seize electronic devices.
- August 25: The Attorney General’s Office publicly announced the charge and described the forensic preview that uncovered the video.
Data & Statistics
- Devices seized: Five electronic devices were taken from Kohut’s home.
- Potential penalty: The statute carries a maximum sentence of 18 months in prison and a fine of up to $10,000.
- Administrative action: Rutgers placed Kohut on paid administrative leave and barred him from campus pending the investigation’s outcome.
Official Statements & Responses
Attorney General Jennifer Davenport called the alleged conduct “disturbing” and said the office will pursue prosecution. Rutgers confirmed that Kohut was placed on administrative leave and banned from campus after the charges were reported, emphasizing that the investigation is ongoing and no determination of guilt has been made.
Verbatim Quotes
- “An invasion of privacy like this is not just disturbing, it is also a criminal act. We will prosecute accordingly,” — Attorney General Jennifer Davenport
- “The university placed Josh Kohut on administrative leave after being informed of the extremely disturbing charges. The research dean also is banned from campus pending the outcome of an investigation.” — Fox News Digital
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
- Warrant execution timing: Some outlets report the search warrant has already been executed, while the schedule lists August 24, 2026 as the planned date, creating a discrepancy.
- Victim identity: No source specifies whether the alleged victim was a student, faculty member, or staff employee, and the number of videos captured has not been disclosed.
- Location of recording: The complaint references the university campus, but authorities have not confirmed the exact setting.
What’s Next
The Attorney General’s Office has invited anyone who may have been victimized to contact Lieutenant Jon Norcia of the New Jersey Department of Law and Public Safety. Prosecutors indicated the case will proceed under the fourth-degree invasion of privacy statute, with the scheduled warrant execution on August 24, 2026 serving as a key investigative step. Rutgers has said Kohut will remain on administrative leave until the investigation concludes.
