Judge allows Peoria Twitter prankster's case to go forward
PEORIA, Ill. (AP) - A federal judge has refused to dismiss a case brought by a man whose home was raided by police after he created a Twitter account to spoof Peoria's mayor.
U.S. District Judge Michael Mihm on Monday denied a motion from Peoria city officials to dismiss the lawsuit.
Jon Daniel claims the city violated his civil rights with the raid. The 29-year-old plaintiff posted raunchy messages on the fake account before Twitter suspended it. Authorities investigated, saying that Daniel wrongly impersonated a public official, Mayor Jim Ardis.
Daniel says his parody Twitter account was protected speech. He filed the lawsuit with the backing of the American Civil Liberties Union of Illinois. On Monday, ACLU attorneys said they view the judge's ruling as a win and a necessary "first step."