Houston Entrepreneur Accused of Scamming Families Through Surrogacy Escrow Account Management Company
A shocking lawsuit has been filed against Surrogacy Escrow Account Management LLC (SEAM), alleging that the company’s owner, Dominique Side, used funds meant for birth surrogates to finance her lavish lifestyle and kickstart her rap career. Washington resident Arielle Mitton, who hired a surrogate through SEAM, claims she was robbed of thousands of dollars, leaving her and her husband scrambling to make up the balance before their surrogate gives birth on Christmas Eve.
The lawsuit, filed by another family, Marianna Robak and Lori Hood, has now garnered the support of 23 additional families who suspect Side of misappropriating their money for personal gain. The families were notified in June that their accounts had been frozen due to fraudulent charges, with bank records revealing that millions of dollars had been transferred to fund Side’s music career, clothing line, and other ventures.
In response to the allegations, the FBI has launched an investigation, with up to 800 families claiming they were defrauded of over $16 million by SEAM. Side, who has since deleted her social media pages and dissolved her business websites, issued a statement expressing regret for the situation and citing legal advice to refrain from commenting further on the matter.
As the scandal unfolds, expectant parents are left in limbo, unsure if they will ever recover the funds meant to support their surrogates during this important time in their lives. The shocking betrayal has sent shockwaves through the surrogacy community, leaving many questioning the integrity of the industry and seeking justice for those who have been wronged.