A surrogacy escrow management company and its owner face a lawsuit from at least 23 families and an FBI investigation for allegedly misappropriating millions of dollars intended for surrogates’ medical expenses and fees. Dominique Side, owner of Houston-based Surrogacy Escrow Account Management LLC (SEAM), is accused of diverting escrow funds to support a lavish lifestyle and a music career.
SEAM, which acts as an intermediary between Intended Parents and surrogates, received deposits from families to pay surrogate mothers. However, in June, millions of dollars reportedly disappeared from SEAM’s accounts, leaving families across the country and globally in a precarious position as their surrogates continue to carry children without compensation.
The Shackelford Law Firm in Houston represents Arielle Mitton and 22 other families who allege they have been victimized. According to the lawsuit, funds deposited by a couple since December 2023 were smoothly managed until June when they were informed of payment delays due to legal actions against SEAM. Further attempts to inquire about the situation were met with automated responses citing an ongoing federal investigation.
The lawsuit accuses Side, described as a rap and R&B artist, of transferring over $2.2 million of escrow funds to finance her music career, including expenditures on global travel, designer apparel, luxury vehicles, and a membership to Soho House. Additionally, it alleges that SEAM transferred over $6.2 million to fund a music studio owned by Side and another defendant, Anthony Hall.
Forensic accounting revealed that escrow funds were redirected to various unrelated purposes, including real estate investments, other businesses, and personal expenditures unrelated to the intended purpose of supporting surrogates.
During a hearing in Houston, it was revealed that Hall had allegedly established a new escrow company, Life Escrow, LLC, using the same address as SEAM. The lawsuit claims Side transferred assets, including stakes in her businesses, to Hall’s control.
Efforts to contact SEAM and Side were unsuccessful, with automated responses being received via email and phone, and Side’s social media accounts have been deactivated. The FBI has launched an investigation and set up a website for potential victims to provide information. As of now, Side has not been charged with a crime, but a Harris County judge has granted a temporary injunction to freeze SEAM’s assets pending the investigation.
