CA Surrogate Agent Found Guilty

Some justice for some hopeful parents came out of a court sentencing earlier this week in California. In an unfortunate fraud case where a California surrogate parenting agent collected money from clients and never delivered on services paid for, a judge has ordered restitution in the amount of $1.7 million dollars.

When considering any type of assistance with starting or building a family, taking the time to do the proper research can prove to be crucial. Ask for references, search the internet and scrutinize as much as possible to avoid situations like this one.

Associated Press: MODESTO, Calif.—A federal judge has ordered the owner of a surrogate parenting agency to pay $1.7 million to the victims of a fraud scheme carried out through her Central California-based operation.

The U.S. Attorney’s office said 37-year-old Tonya Ann Collins—the owner of the defunct Surrogenesis agency in Modesto—was ordered to pay the restitution on Monday.

Collins was sentenced in May to five years and three months in prison.

The government said Collins took money from prospective parents and used it for personal expenses, including automobiles, homes, jewelry, clothing and vacations, between 2006 and 2009.

As a result, Collins’ clients, surrogates and other businesses suffered losses of more than $2.4 million.

Prosecutors said that in some cases, victims couldn’t afford a surrogate pregnancy again.