Director of facilities operations sentenced to 10 days in jail, 18 months probation following aggravated assault arrest
Central Michigan University’s director of facilities operations was sentenced to 10 days in jail and 18 months probation for aggravated assault and disturbing the peace.
Joseph "Jay" Kahn was sentenced June 29 in Isabella County Trial Court. He was charged with both counts and arraigned on May 14.
He was charged $950 in fines and costs for aggravated assault and $425 in fines and cost for disturbing the peace, according to court records.
According to the police report, obtained by Central Michigan Life from the Isabella County Sheriff’s Department via a Freedom of Information Act, the incident Kahn was convicted for stemmed from a date gone wrong on Jan. 14.
After Kahn’s second date with a woman he met through Match.com, the woman went to Central Michigan Community Hospital and told police Kahn had forced himself on her. Kahn told the sheriff’s deputy it was consensual, with the officer noting Kahn “used the term ‘consensual sex’ approximately 30 times while this interview was progressing.”
Kahn pleaded not guilty before changing to a no-contest plea June 13.
Steve Smith, director of public relations at CMU, said in an email last Thursday the university was aware of Kahn’s situation.
“It is our understanding that this was a personal matter and did not involve CMU,” Smith said in the email. “Any additional information would have to come from the prosecutor.”
In section 4-2 of CMU’s Manual of University Policies regarding Criminal History Checks, the manual reads that: “A prior conviction does not necessarily make an individual ineligible for employment, or promotion/transfer. The criminal history will be evaluated for relevance, if any, to the specific position responsibilities.”
Should the University become aware of a current criminal conviction on an employee, “the situation will be evaluated using the same criteria listed above.” This includes “number and gravity of crimes committed and the nature of the crimes(s) in relationship to the nature of the work to be performed.”
Kahn is a professional and administrative employee and therefore is not represented by a bargaining unit. He reports directly to his superior, Stephen Lawrence, associate vice president of facilities management. Lawrence’s email gave an automatic response, saying he was away from his office for the week and could not be reached in time for publication.
Kahn was hired in 2004. He earned $99,398 as a university employee in 2011.
Kahn did not return phone calls seeking comment.
