Joel Hendon

FBI Story: Three Women Plead Guilty Of Surrogate Mothers Conspiracy Scam


Posted: Wednesday, September 14, 2011

by Joel Hendon
http://hebronics.org/index.html

The three women involved in the fraudulent conspiracy were Theresa Erickson, 43, from Poway, California, an internationally renowned attorney who specialized in reproductive law,

Hilary Neiman, 32, also an attorney specializing in reproductive law from Chevy Chase, Maryland and Carla Chambers, 51, of Las Vegas, Nevada who was the “surrogacy facilitator” for the group.

California law forbids the sale of parental rights to babies and children but permits surrogacy arrangements if the women expecting to carry the babies, “Gestational Carriers“, and the “Intended Parents” enter into an agreement prior to an embryonic transfer. However, these three conspirators searched out the surrogate mothers beforehand and sent to the Ukraine for the implanting of an embryo from an anonymous donor. Then the surrogate would carry the child to full term, but was required to give birth in California. She was made to believe that the agreement had already been made with parents.

The prospective parents were told that the child was already being carried byu a surrogate mother, but that the Intended Parents had backed out of the deal and now they could take legally take over as the IP. They would then pay $100,000 to $150,000 for the child. The surrogate mother usually got less than half of this fee and the balance was divided among the three conspirators.

One of the most critical aspects of the scheme involved Erickson filing fraudulent documents in California court stating that a surrogacy agreement had been in place from the start and asking for what’s called a “pre-birth judgment” that would establish parental rights. That way, under California law, the names of the intended parents could be placed on the birth certificate when the baby was born. (FBI story: Surrogacy Scam-September 13, 2011)

The three were charged as follows:

Theresa Erickson and Hilary Neiman: Title 18, United States Code, Section 371-Conspiracy to Commit Wire Fraud—statutory maximum sentence of five years’ custody, a maximum fine of $250,000, $100 special assessment, forfeiture of any proceeds, and restitution.

Carla Chambers Title 18, United States Code, Section 371-Conspiracy to Engage in Monetary Transactions in Property Derived from Specified Unlawful Activity—statutory maximum sentence of five years’ custody, a maximum fine of $250,000, $100 special assessment, forfeiture of any proceeds, and restitution.

The FBI offers the following tips of advice for those who consider surrogacy services:

1. Do your due diligence to find out the average costs of surrogacy services (there should be no “facilitator” fees).

2. Make sure you have a signed agreement in place before the start of any medical tests or procedures.

3. Make sure you have a signed agreement in place before the start of any medical tests or procedures.

4. If at all possible, work with a local attorney or agency that you can meet with in person.

5. Ask lots of questions…about the process, about financial arrangements, about the surrogates or biological parents…until you’re completely satisfied.

6. Ask lots of questions…about the process, about financial arrangements, about the surrogates or biological parents…until you’re completely satisfied.  
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