WBRZ - Baton Rouge

Ten people are under arrest, accused of serving secretly as agents of the Russian government in the United States.

Court papers say their assignment was to "search and develop ties in policymaking circles."

Under federal law, people can't act as agents of foreign governments in the United States without telling the U.S. attorney general.

Eight of the ten are accused of carrying out long-term, deep-cover assignments in the U.S. on behalf of Russia. Two others are accused of taking part in the same Russian intelligence
program.

Nine of the defendants are charged with conspiracy to commit money laundering.

Arrests took place in the New York and Washington areas and in Boston.