MOSCOW (AP) — Russian President Vladimir Putin says he never heard of a woman who is accused of spying for Moscow in the United States until her July arrest.

Putin said Tuesday that when he asked Russian intelligence services for information about 30-year-old Maria Butina, he was told "no one knows anything about her."

U.S. prosecutors have alleged Butina gathered intelligence and worked to develop relationships with American politicians through the National Rifle Association.

They also alleged that a former Russian lawmaker who was subject to U.S. sanctions for alleged ties to Putin directed Butina's activities.

Butina is charged with conspiracy and acting as an unregistered foreign agent for the Russia government. U.S. prosecutors indicated in a court filing Monday that she has accepted a plea deal.