A retired New York City teacher who claims administrators had him arrested for distributing information about his blog to students outside of his former school can pursue his First Amendment claim following a judge's ruling.

Michael Thomas claims officials drummed up a harassment and assault prosecution in 2013 because they wanted to stop him from giving his business card to students with information of his blog, which was critical about the administration at the 1,600-student Manhattan Center for Science and Mathematics.

Thomas had retired in July 2012 after almost 13 years as a teacher at the center. In September of that year, he created a blog “MCSM Satire” which used parody to criticize the administration and teachers at the school. Among his targets were principal J. David Jiminez and physical education teacher and acting dean of students Dennis Hernandez, both of whom he wanted removed.