Rutgers research dean accused of secretly recording 'upskirt' videos with cellphone, prosecutors say
A dean at Rutgers University in New Jersey is facing charges after investigators say he was illegally recording "up-skirt" videos while working at the school.
Joshua Kohut, 51, from Cranberry faces a charge of "fourth-degree invasion of privacy" after investigators discovered the incriminating videos on one of his electronic devices they seized with a warrant.
According to his online profiles for the University and LinkedIn, Kohut is a Dean of Research for the School of Environmental and Biological Sciences.
He says he is "involved in many research and education programs" including storm intensity, offshore wind, and studies of polar ecosystems in Antarctica, among others.
SCHOOL EMPLOYEE ACCUSED OF SECRETLY FILMING 12 GIRLS IN CHANGING ROOM FACES NEW CHARGES
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Kohut has a Ph.D. in Physical Oceanography from Rutgers and has decades of experience and according to his CV. He a professor of marine and coastal sciences, earned his Ph.D. in 2002 and has been a faculty member there since 2008.
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"The defendant is alleged to have used his mobile phone to record ‘upskirt’ videos without his victim’s knowledge. An invasion of privacy like this is not just disturbing, it is also a criminal act. We will prosecute accordingly," Attorney General Davenport said.
Read the full complaint below:
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If convicted, Kohut faces up to 18 months behind bars and a fine up to $10,000 for the alleged crimes.
In a statement sent to Fox News Digital a spokesperson for the university said, "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 has reached out to Kohut for comment.