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A prominent Helena-based campaign treasurer for Democrats and liberal-leaning causes was charged federally this week for allegedly embezzling more than $253,000 in funds from candidates and organizations.

Abbey Lee Cook was charged Wednesday with three federal counts of wire fraud after she allegedly transferred money and property without authorization to accounts and entities she controlled through her company, Abbey Lee Cook and Associates LLC, beginning around September 2021.

Candidates, organizations and political action committees will often hire treasurers and compliance officers like Cook to ensure they follow the litany of campaign finance reporting requirements. Through this work, Cook was granted access to bank accounts these entities and individuals used, accordi

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