A Harris County Judge has awarded over $1 million to families who allege their Houston-based Surrogacy Escrow Account Management (SEAM) managed accounts were improperly drained.
The partial judgment follows a civil lawsuit filed last year by Shackelford partner Marianne Robak on behalf of hundreds of families worldwide who deposited thousands of dollars into SEAM-managed escrow accounts to pay their surrogates’ medical expenses and fees. SEAM was responsible for holding the funds, reviewing the surrogates’ expenses and disbursing the money in accordance with the terms of the surrogacy agreement.
After families discovered their accounts unexpectedly drained, the company abruptly closed with no explanation or follow-up communication from the owner
The court issued a temporary restraining order, freezing the escrow agency’s assets, as well as any bank accounts belonging to SEAM owner Dominique Side and her business partner, Anthony Hall.
The FBI has since opened a criminal investigation. No criminal charges have been filed, although the investigation is ongoing.
The case is Marieke Slik v Surrogacy Escrow Account Management, LLC D/B/A SEAM, LLC, et al., Cause no. 2024-39298 in Harris County District Court.
Read more from these news outlets:
Houston woman accused of stealing millions of dollars intended for surrogate moms – ABC13 Houston
Judge awards more than $1M to families who lost money in Houston-based surrogacy escrow scandal
