The Queens Library’s former CEO and president, fired amid an investigation revealing that he and other officials spent $300,000 in library funds on rock concerts, alcohol and other prohibited expenses, may proceed with his lawsuit against the library, a federal judge has ruled.

The library’s board of trustees fired Thomas Galante in December 2014 after months of media reports scrutinizing his pay and expenditures. Galante was fired for cause, depriving him of a $2 million severance package.