TMSU executes search warrants, launches $20M lawsuit over election tampering, financial corruption
March 7, 2026 — Yesterday, Toronto Metropolitan Students Union took the extraordinary measure of executing civil search warrants to prevent the destruction of evidence in connection with a $20 million dollar lawsuit in Ontario Superior court.
The lawsuit alleges that Ali Yousaf, a former TMSU President with no official role in the Union since 2021, has repeatedly conspired to manipulate the student union’s electoral process to ensure his chosen candidates were elected. Once in office, the lawsuit alleges, Yousaf conspired with these elected representatives to hire and fire staff who were loyal to them and ensured high value contracts were awarded to their preferred business for their financial gain.
The civil suit names Yousaf and 11 other individuals, including former TMSU Executives and Board Members, management staff and two Chief Returning Officers (tasked with overseeing TMSU elections). The lawsuit alleges these people engaged in civil conspiracy, fraud, breach of fiduciary duty, and breach of contract, among other serious claims. The other individuals named include Nadir Janjua, Muhammad Awais, Nikole Dan, Tatiana Carrion Luna, Koby Biya, Hafsa Iqbal, Aneesa Masood, Rohaan Janjua, Saya Diji Pressa Anilkumar, Muhammad Dayan Imran, Qin Yi (Chelsea) Huang and Jay Doe 1, 2, 3, 4.
The suit also names ImagineXperience, a company that along with three other related businesses received over $1.175M from TMSU during the 2024/2025 academic year. Several individuals, whose identities are currently unknown but who control the TMSU Saviour account and who publicly disclosed personal confidential information are also listed as defendants in the claim.
Last year, TMSU released the findings of an independent investigation that found past corporate officers and staff engaged in election corruption and financial misdeeds. Despite TMSU’s ongoing efforts to stop corruption, including through the introduction of significant internal reforms aimed at strengthening governance, interference attempts have persisted.
It is believed that Ali Yousaf’s continued election interference is motivated not just by personal financial gain, but also a desire to assume power and halt the ongoing investigation.
“This lawsuit is about defending the integrity of TMSU’s democratic process by exposing bad actors at the heart of this ongoing corruption, holding them accountable, and preventing them from gaining power again,” says Interim Co-Executive Director Scott Miller Berry.
“We are committed to serving our student members, and the Union has taken decisive steps to address these persistent issues — including suspending and impeaching executive and board members, disciplining members, terminating staff, engaging independent investigators, and strengthening policies and by-laws,” added Interim Co-Executive Director Sally Lee.
TMSU and independent investigator MNP remain in active communication with the Toronto Police Service about the investigation’s findings. Law enforcement will ultimately determine if criminal charges will be laid.
TMSU’s 2026/27 general election campaign period begins March 9th, with voting set to take place March 16th to 18th.