Upskirt Allegations Rock Rutgers Leadership

New Jersey prosecutors charged a Rutgers research dean with secretly filming “upskirt” videos on campus, triggering swift action from the university.

Story Highlights

State authorities charged Rutgers dean Joshua Kohut with fourth-degree invasion of privacy.
Officials alleged he recorded “upskirt” videos on a mobile phone without the victim’s knowledge.
Rutgers placed Kohut on leave and barred him from campus pending its review.
New Jersey courts have held that “upskirting” fits the state’s invasion-of-privacy statute.

Prosecutors Detail Invasion-of-Privacy Charge

New Jersey’s Attorney General office announced the arrest of Joshua Kohut, age 51, a Rutgers dean of research, on a fourth-degree invasion-of-privacy charge. The announcement said the case stems from alleged secret recordings of “upskirt” videos taken without consent. Officials said the charge will be handled by named state prosecutors, indicating the case will move through the criminal courts in the normal course. An arrest and charge are allegations, and Kohut is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.

Patch reporting cited state authorities who alleged Kohut used a mobile phone to capture images under a woman’s clothing without her knowledge. The outlet also reported that investigators seized a device and found “upskirt” videos showing intimate areas covered by undergarments. Those details match the invasion-of-privacy theory that covers recordings of intimate parts even when concealed by clothing, as opposed to requiring nudity.

Rutgers Responds With Leave And Campus Ban

Rutgers University moved quickly after learning of the criminal charge. A university spokeswoman said leaders placed Kohut on administrative leave and banned him from campus while the school conducts its own review. Rutgers’ leadership materials say the dean of research helps oversee research compliance and ethical standards, underscoring why the university acted to protect students and staff during the process. The steps signal a bright line: campus safety and respect for privacy come first while courts sort out the facts.

The alleged conduct strikes at trust inside higher education. Students expect leaders to protect privacy, not violate it. The university’s ban keeps the accused away from classrooms, labs, and offices during the probe. That approach tracks with common sense: when a charge involves secret filming, restricting access helps prevent further harm. It also shows institutions can act fast without waiting months for a court date, while still respecting due process and the presumption of innocence.

How New Jersey Law Treats ‘Upskirting’

New Jersey courts have addressed “upskirting” for years. An appellate decision explained that invasion of privacy applies when someone records another person’s intimate parts, even if those parts are covered by clothing rather than bare skin. The court read the statute to include images taken under clothing without consent, closing any loophole that would reward sneaky filming in public places. That guidance helps prosecutors frame charges and helps judges assess the facts in each case.

Rutgers University dean caught filming 'upskirt' videos: 'extremely disturbing charges' https://t.co/IkqVfPMCI8 pic.twitter.com/pubDuFNJBb

— New York Post Metro (@nypmetro) August 26, 2026

Legal scholars and advocates describe “upskirting” as a modern form of image-based abuse. A 2023 review called it a newer addition to the spectrum of violence against women and girls, which pushed lawmakers and courts to update rules on voyeurism and recording. That shift treats the offense as a violation of privacy and dignity, not only as a narrow vice crime. New Jersey’s approach fits that trend by targeting secret recordings taken without consent.

Why This Case Matters For Families And Campuses

Parents send their kids to college to learn, not to be targets for hidden cameras. A strong privacy law deters abuse and gives victims a path to justice. This case also tests whether institutions enforce standards without fear or favor. Rutgers removed access, protected the community, and let the legal process proceed. That balance reflects conservative values: enforce clear laws, defend the innocent, and hold wrongdoers accountable if the facts support it.

What Comes Next In The Legal Process

State prosecutors will present evidence, and the defense can challenge it. A court will decide what is admissible and whether the state meets its burden. If the statute’s elements are proven, the invasion-of-privacy charge can lead to penalties set by New Jersey law. If not, the court will reject the case. Either way, the process should be swift and fair. Clear rules and equal treatment protect everyone’s rights, including victims and the accused.