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FBI investigating surrogacy escrow company
A Harris County judge has temporarily frozen a surrogacy escrow account company and its owners' assets as a federal investigation is underway. FOX 26's Jonathan Mejia first broke the story on June 15 and reports on the update as he continues to follow the case.
HOUSTON - A Harris County judge has put a temporary hold on the funds of a surrogacy escrow company, as well as its owners' assets, as federal authorities investigate the firm.
FOX 26 initially brought attention to this story on June 15 and has been closely tracking the developments that now involve a multitude of families and surrogates.
Dominique Side, who runs Surrogacy Escrow Account Management, also known as SEAM, is embroiled in allegations of misappropriating millions of dollars designated for surrogate payments. FOX 26 attempts to reach Side at an address listed in court papers were met with closed blinds and no response.
SUGGESTED: Houston families demand answers over missing surrogacy funds
Attorney Lori Hood, who represents a client involved in the lawsuit against Side, SEAM, and Side's business partner Anthony Hall, commented on the legal proceedings: "We were able through that [lawsuit] to freeze bank accounts as we find them. So that hopefully one of these accounts has money in it, so we can start paying the surrogates."
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Families demand answer from Dominique Side, the owner of an escrow account for intended parents
Several families are demanding answers from a Houston woman who owns an escrow account for intended parents, with many having thousands of dollars invested, and now their money is nowhere to be found. FOX 26's Jonathan Mejia spoke with families across the country and in Houston.
FOX 26 reached out to Side through her email and phone, went in search at several listed addresses, and even sent her a message on Instagram, where the account no longer exists but showed the lavish lifestyle Side lived.
Side is now being federally investigated by the FBI, according to the Houston Police Department.
INITIAL REPORT: Families allege missing funds in Houston surrogacy escrow account scandal
"While the law moves at a glacial pace, we have to do everything we can now to make sure we can do the best we can not just for our clients, but to get the information out to other parents," Hood said.
After reviewing bank statements and tax filings for SEAM, Hood noted unexpected levels of financial transactions for what should be a non-profit generating business. "The escrow account showed more money movement than what reached the surrogates for their expenses. And the tax returns indicate an unusual amount of generated revenue," Hood said.
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Surrogacy escrow accounts missing money
More families are demanding answers from a Houston woman they say has tens of thousands of dollars from them, meant to be held in a special account for surrogacy. FOX 26's Jonathan Mejia reports after hearing from more people who were impacted.
With ongoing investigations and lawsuits, the key issue that remains is the whereabouts of the money, a matter of great consequence for the lives impacted by this scandal. Hood appeals for transparency: "Something did happen, tell us what happened, whether you’re held accountable criminally or not. You have got people whose lives are being heavily impacted by this, and you got into this business to help people, and you can’t just bail on them when things get tough for you," Hood said.
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Lawyer provides update on SEAM frozen assets & lawsuit
FOX 26 Reporter Jonathan Mejia spoke with a lawyer about the SEAM frozen assets as well as the lawsuit against them.
The FBI is looking to identify potential victims of SEAM or people who have information relevant to the investigation to complete this form. The FBI told FOX 26 they cannot give details since it's an ongoing investigation but has created a dedicated website to receive information relevant to Side and SEAM.
FOX 26 received an automated response from Side after sending yet another inquiry.
"My sincerest apologies for the non-responsiveness. My company and I have been noticed that we are subject to an active investigation by federal authorities. Under advice of counsel, I am not permitted to respond to any inquiries regarding the investigation. Please be kindly advised that the investigation involves only me, as an individual, and SEAM, as a single-member entity."