NASHVILLE (AP) - A federal jury ruled in favor of hundreds of jail employees who say they've been underpaid by Metro Nashville government.

The Tennessean reports (http://tnne.ws/1WoIUsV) on Tuesday the jury said the city benefited or was "unjustly enriched" when it paid correction officers an annual salary divided by their hours worked, resulting in less than the hourly wage listed.

More than 850 current and past Davidson County Sheriff's Office correction officers sued Metro government over $7.04 million in back wages they say they're owed, dating back to 2006.

Attorney David Garrison says the officers are receiving lower hourly rates than they're being told they're getting paid.

Metro Director of Law Saul Soloman says the intent of the pay plan is clear and that correction officers were paid what they should have been.