A former New Jersey State Police sergeant has been awarded more than $1 million after suing the department over unfair retaliation. Brian Royster, a 25-year veteran, was assigned to the force's Equal Employment Opportunity Unit in 2004. He says high-ranking individuals, who had been previously named in complaints, were given the chance to retire without the complaints being investigated. He claims he informed a superior, Col. Rick Fuentes, of the issue, which led to his being passed over for promotions for five years. Royster retired in 2011. Royster sued the department last month. This past Wednesday, a jury found Fuentes guilty of violating the state's Conscientious Employee Protection Act, which is designed to protect whistle blowers. Neither Fuentes nor his spokesman were available for comment.