(Salem, OR) -- A Marion County jury has awarded two Oregon Department of Corrections employees two-point-four million dollars for retaliation against whistleblowing. Merilee Nowak and Gina Raney-Eatherly claimed DOC employees were possibly breaking the law with their use of grant money. Both women claimed they were demoted and retaliated against after they reported the allegations. Their case went to trial and a Marion County jury ruled in their favor. The Oregon Department of Administrative services released a statement saying the state is committed to being accountable and responsive to the needs of employees and the public.