A campaign finance manager for several Montana political committees supporting Democrats faces wire fraud charges in federal court.
Abbey Lee Cook, who during the 2024 election cycle did campaign compliance work for roughly a dozen political committees and candidates, is accused of defrauding six different committees of a combined $253,000.
Cook reached a plea agreement with prosecutors Aug. 14, in which she agreed to repay the $253,000. In turn, prosecutors agree not to seek detention, leaving it up to a judge to decide the matter. Each of the three wire fraud charges against Cook carries a maximum 20-year prison sentence and a fine of $250,000.
Cook is scheduled for a plea hearing Sept. 9 in U.S. District Court in Great Falls.
Calls and texts to Cook for this article had not been returned at publication time.
In charging documents filed Wednesday, federal prosecutors alleged that Cook, doing business as Abbey Lee Cook and Associates, embezzled funds from multiple individuals and entities during the 2023-2024 election cycle. Prosecutors aren’t naming the parties, but have identified six anonymous victims.
Campaign finance reports identify several committees that used Cook as a compliance officer in 2024, including the Democratic state senators Cora Neumann, of Bozeman; Laura Smith, of Helena; state Rep. Zooey Zephyr, of Missoula; 2024 Democratic Attorney General candidate Ben Alke, and former state Supreme Court candidate Jerry Lynch.
Several parties contacted for this article declined to comment until after Cook is sentenced.
State campaign finance records show several committees using Cook, including the Montana Democratic Party, Montana 55+ Action Fund, Montana Conservation Voters Action Fund, Montana Senior Vote Action Fund, Montanans for Election Reform Action Fund and Planned Parenthood Action Montana PAC.
Carol’s List, which supports the advancement of women in public office, said its donors and supported candidates were betrayed by the embezzlements.
“As an all-volunteer organization, we rely on the goodness of others to achieve our mission. Simply put, we are horrified that someone we knew and trusted would betray us, you and Montana women. It’s hard enough for women to run, and win, so to have this additional headwind is a betrayal of epic proportions,” founder Carol Williams said in a statement. “Despite this, we are still here. Nothing will stop us from helping women win. We will continue to encourage and support Democratic pro-choice women across the state.”
In an emailed statement Thursday, Trent Bolger, executive director of Big Sky 55+, which oversees Montana Senior Vote Action Fund’s operations, said that they lost $18,000 to Cook.
“On August 14th of last year, Abbey Lee Cook took $18,000.00 from the Montana Senior Vote Action fund account without permission. Staff demanded it back as soon as it was discovered, a few days later. When it was clear it was not going to be returned, we terminated her contract and sent a demand letter to return it, which she never responded to. There is a legal process that will play out in the future, and we hope that justice will be done.”
Montana Conservation Voters in a Thursday statement from interim Executive Director Renee Kelley said “This has been a gross betrayal of the hard work and mission-driven principles of our organization. We believe the actions of Abbey Lee Cook & Associates, LLC, should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. For our part, MCV immediately terminated our relationship with her when issues first came to light, and we have cooperated at every step with the relevant agencies to help bring her to justice. Our clean air and water, public lands, and democracy are at risk like never before, and this situation will not deter us from the work we do every day to fight for these priorities across Montana.”
Cook has also been mentioned in relation to federal campaign citations about delayed report filings. The group Montana Outdoor Values Action Fund identified Cook as the reason its finances had gone unreported through the middle of 2024. The Federal Election Commission later fined the PAC $12,372 for noncompliance.
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