Families sue Houston-based Surrogacy Escrow Account Management, claiming owner pocketed money meant for birth planning

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) — At least two dozen families are accusing a business owner of stealing money they entrusted her with to help them have children through a surrogate mother.

The money was supposed to be held in a trust and then distributed to pay for health care, insurance and compensation, but lawyers say the owner used the funds to pay for a lavish lifestyle.

“They were used to fund his lifestyle, to fund his businesses, to grow his businesses and, essentially, to hide it from all of the families who were targeted and who have lost so much,” said Marianne Robak, the lawyer representing the families.

The company is called Surrogacy Escrow Account Management LLC, or SEAM. Dominique Side, who did not attend the hearing Wednesday, owns SEAM.

In a 2022 interview with Trip to HoustonSide describes herself as a “serial entrepreneur.” Court records allege she funneled SEAM funds into her music studio, fashion line, vegan lifestyle brand, and even used them to “fund her music career as ‘Dom,’” a rapper and R&B singer and music producer.”

On Wednesday, a judge ordered the assets of SEAM’s owner to be frozen, for now.

The lawsuit involves more than 24 families who say the company took advantage of them and targeted them because of their desire to expand their families. Lawyers estimate there could be hundreds of potential victims nationwide.

Side’s business partner testified on Wednesday.

“She told me there were issues with some of the funds,” said her business partner Anthony Hall. “For me, doing the right thing was making sure she was the owner and responsible.”

According to the lawsuit, some families contributed as much as $50,000, but a financial expert testified that the money likely disappeared.

Lawyers said it was too early to say whether the families would receive anything in return.

Last month, the FBI posted a call on social media asking potential SEAM victims to come forward.