Dominque Side hopes to win the trust of parents seeking surrogacy solutions. Instead, federal authorities are investigating her Houston-based Surrogacy Account Management LLC for allegedly misappropriating millions of dollars to fund Syed’s lavish lifestyle and aspiring rap career.
The accusations against Side include using escrow funds earmarked for surrogate mothers to launch her hip-hop career as a “Dom” and live a lavish lifestyle. Parents across the U.S. who each deposited tens of thousands of dollars into accounts managed by SEAM now find that their surrogates have not been paid and their hopes of becoming parents have been dashed.
Among them, Ryan Woods deposited $62,000 into a SEAM account, only to find that payments to her surrogate mother had stopped. An evasive email about banking issues was released, and communication with Side was cut off.
“It’s very emotional,” Woods said. “At the moment we don’t know how we’re going to have a child of our own.”
Other aggrieved clients, like Michael Rodriguez and his husband, who relied on SEAM for their second child, feel they were cheated.
“This is so evil. This is despicable. This is so disgusting,” Rodriguez said, echoing the feelings of many families who have contacted law enforcement seeking answers and compensation.
An investigation by FOX 26 Houston reveals SEAM may have a long history of suspicious financial activity.
Lori Hood, an attorney for many of the families affected, noted that the company’s bank statements showed unusual activity for a nonprofit entity.
An examination of SEAM records revealed that funds intended for the surrogate mother had been redirected to fund Side’s personal endeavors, including her music studio in Spring Branch.
To date, forensic analysis has revealed that more than $10 million was diverted to Side’s personal projects, including the recording studio and the single “Ion” with Erica Banks.
Footage from the eight-month-old YouTube video shows Seid portraying herself as a driven entrepreneur, but she allegedly orchestrated an elaborate scheme to destroy the finances of hopeful parents and surrogate mothers.
Syed’s business partner and music studio co-owner Anthony Hall claimed he was unaware of the illegal origins of the funds.
He testified in court that he did not benefit from the fraudulent funds and offered to assist with the ongoing investigation.
The FBI is actively seeking additional victims and information related to this case.
