Fredd Jordan, a chef from Smithfield, shopped for a scratch-off ticket at a Smithfield store and it dished up a $200,000 prize.

Jordan, who said he was semi-retired, was on his way for a job interview when he stopped at the Harimart on U.S. 70 East and bought some scratch-off tickets, including his winning $5 Emerald Green 8’s ticket.

“I was happy,” Jordan said as he claimed his winnings last week at lottery headquarters. “Couldn’t believe it.”

After state and federal tax withholdings, he took home $141,501. He said he planned to invest most of the money, but may take a trip to California to see his family.

The Emerald Green 8’s game started in March with four top prizes of $200,000. Jordan won the last top prize so the lottery will begin steps to end the game.

Ticket sales from scratch-offs make it possible for the lottery to raise more than $700 million per year for education. For details on how $13.7 million raised by the lottery made a difference in Johnston County last year, visit www.nclottery.com and click on the “Impact” section.