Frank “Pupie” Raia may have to serve more time for his federal election fraud conviction.

The government has appealed the Hoboken politico’s three-month sentence for a pay-for-votes scheme that also ensnared four others, according to a court filing dated Jan. 2.

Raia was also fined $50,000 and ordered to one year of supervised release, and had planned to pay the fine when his $100,000 bail was returned court filings said. The former mayoral and city council candidate was scheduled to begin serving his sentence at a West Virginia prison in March, his attorney, Alan Zegas said.

Zegas said he was “surprised” by the U.S. Attorney’s Office’s decision to appeal the sentence handed down by Judge William Martini. He called the sentencing “fair.”

“(Raia) received 140 letters describing the good deeds he had done,” said Zegas, referring to the letters presented when Raia was sentenced on Dec. 2. “The judge said he had never received so many letters on someone’s behalf.”

At the time of Raia’s sentencing, prosecutors had asked for 27 months, U.S. Attorney’s Office spokesman Matt Reilly said. The charge against him called for a maximum sentence to five years in prison and a $250,000 fine, although Zegas said the sentencing guidelines are much lower.

Zegas said his client is optimistic that the court will find the three-month sentence fair. “He is prepared to serve his sentence,” Zegas said.

Zegas pointed out that the burden of proof on the sentencing is on the government. The U.S. Attorney’s Office will file a brief and then Zegas will file a brief in opposition, he said.

The Third Circuit Court of Appeals in Philadelphia could hold a hearing, but could also decide the issue based on the briefs.

Raia was found guilty in June of paying residents — most of them living in public housing — $50 for their votes. At the time, Raia was running for an at-large seat on the Hoboken City Council. He finished seventh in a 10-person field for the three seats.

Dio Braxton, Matt Calicchio, Lizaida Camis and William Rojas all pleaded guilty to their roles in a cash-for-votes scheme in 2013 or 2015. Braxton has not been sentenced yet.

Raia appealed the verdict and asked for new trial, but that motion was denied.