WASHINGTON — Former U.S. Rep. George Santos should be sentenced to more than seven years in prison for committing fraud while campaigning for Congress, federal prosecutors said.

A “significant” sentence is needed to protect the public from the Long Island, New York, Republican to prevent him from “adding new victims to the list of people and entities that are poorer and worse off for having come into contact with him,” prosecutors said in a memo Friday proposing that a judge impose an 87-month term of incarceration.

Santos, once seen as a rising star in the party, pleaded guilty in August to wire fraud and identity theft. He admitted tricking donors into giving money to a phony nonprofit and then spent the money on himself, as well as using the personal information of friends and family to manipulate the Federal Election Commission into believing he was getting legitimate campaign contributions.

“He has stolen hundreds of thousands of dollars; he has defrauded the elderly and impaired; he has victimized donors, political committees, government agencies,” the government said in the memo. “The lower chamber of Congress that he desperately sought to occupy as a United States Representative from New York has suffered distraction and scandal due to his misconduct.”

Lawyers for Santos are likely to seek leniency for the ex-lawmaker, pointing to his decision to admit guilt and spare the court from the time and expense of a trial.

U.S. District Judge Joanna Seybert, in Central Islip, has scheduled his sentencing for April 25.

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