GREAT FALLS – A political consultant from Helena accused of defrauding several clients admitted to charges today, U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme said.
The defendant, Abbey Lee Cook, 35, pleaded guilty to 3 counts of wire fraud. Cook faces maximum penalties on each count of 20 years in prison, a $250,000 fine, and 3 years of supervised release.
Chief U.S. District Judge Brian M. Morris presided and will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. Sentencing was set for January 12, 2026. Cook was released with conditions pending further proceedings.
The government alleged in court documents that in January 2021, Cook registered the business Abbey Lee Cook and Associates, LLC with the State of Montana. Cook, through her business, provided political campaign compliance services for multiple candidates and political action committees (PACs) in Montana. Her services included, but were not limited to, establishing bank accounts, depositing political donations, and filing campaign financial reports with the Montana Commissioner of Political Practice (COPP) on behalf of her clients.
In and around 2021 Cook starting volunteering for Victim 2, an issue advocacy PAC in Montana. Her primary duty was to file reports with the Montana Commissioner of Political Practices (COPP). Cook obtained signature card authority for Victim 2’s bank account and, commencing in September 2021, began to issue checks from Victim 2’s account to her business account without authorization.
During this period, Cook filed false reports with the Montana Commissioner of Political Practices (COPP), materially underreporting the amount of money she was taking from Victim 2.
Victim 1 hired Cook in connection with a 2024 campaign for statewide office. Cook’s duties included, among other activities, monitoring and paying bills on behalf of the campaign and preparing internal financial reporting documents. In her job, Cook had access to Victim 1’s campaign account. Commencing in March 2024, Cook began to wire money from Victim 1’s campaign account to her own account without authorization.
Victim 5, a Montana State representative, hired Cook in approximately in June 2023 for campaign-compliance work. Cook was provided signatory authority for Victim 5’s campaign bank account and, commencing in approximately June 2023, began to fraudulently write checks or transfer money to her business without authorization.
Related Federal Cases
- Andy Lee House, Pleads Guilty to $2.2M Bugatti Insurance Fraud, TX,… · Texas
- Antonio Govea Figueroa, Wire Fraud, TX, 2023 · Texas
- Jeffry Hill Charged with Mail and Wire Fraud, Clovis CA, Not specified · Utah
- Wesley Michael Woodyard, Wire Fraud, TX 2013 · Texas
- Jason William Leonard, Wire Fraud Conspiracy, California 2024 · Utah
Key Facts
- State: Montana
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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