A judge has given police permission to begin clawing back the cash from crooked Cumbrian solicitor Stephen Ellis.
Ellis, 44, was jailed for five years in December at Carlisle Crown Court for defrauding of clients between 2011 and 2013.
He had admitted 11 criminal charges - including nine counts of fraud.
He was also banned him from being a director, or being concerned in the management, of any company for 10 years.
It emerged that Ellis had benefited to the tune of £142,038.
Police must wait until bankruptcy proceedings conclude before attempting claw back the cash.
In the meantime, Judge Barbara Forrester ruled during a Proceeds of Crime Act hearing that the "nominal" amount of £1 should be handed over by Ellis formerly of Howgill, Sedbergh.
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