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09/03/2025

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Judge orders over $1M in damages for families in Houston surrogacy escrow case

by LAWIN.news July 23, 2025
written by LAWIN.news July 23, 2025
Web Photo
53

HOUSTON, Texas — A Harris County judge has awarded more than $1 million to families affected by the sudden collapse of a Houston-based surrogacy escrow company that withheld critical funds from clients worldwide.

Judge Donna Roth signed a partial judgment last week that orders Dominique Side, the former owner of Surrogacy Escrow Account Management (SEAM), and the company to pay $1,045,158.24. The ruling follows accusations that Side diverted more than $16 million from intended parents to support her rap music career and lavish lifestyle.

SEAM held funds meant for surrogate payments but abruptly ceased operations in 2023. The closure left intended parents without access to money and, in some cases, forced them to abandon their surrogacy plans.

Attorney Marianne Robak, who represents several affected families, described the judgment as a meaningful win but said it marks only one phase of a lengthy legal fight.

The civil lawsuit also names Side’s business partner, Anthony Hall, and their music production company as co-defendants. Plaintiffs claim the two spent surrogacy funds on Side’s music career under the name “Dom,” as well as on luxury vacations, designer clothing, and a music studio in Houston’s Spring Branch area.

The court placed an injunction to freeze assets tied to Side and SEAM. Lawyers expect the court to use those assets to compensate victims, though the timeline for any disbursement remains uncertain.

The FBI confirmed it launched a federal criminal investigation into Side. While agents have not released details to protect the investigation, they urged individuals with information to submit it through the FBI’s “Seeking Victims” online form.

In June 2024, SEAM sent clients an email citing banking issues and warning of delayed surrogate payments. Shortly afterward, the company shut down its accounts and set up auto-responses indicating a federal investigation was underway. Under legal counsel’s advice, Side has not commented publicly.

Robak said her team continues to uncover financial records and present evidence to the court. She acknowledged the difficulty of tracing misappropriated funds but reaffirmed the goal of returning money to the rightful owners.

photo credit: Fox 26 Houston
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