AP
ORLANDO, Fla. – Florida officials are investigating an unemployment
agency that spent public money to give 6,000 superhero capes to the jobless.

Workforce Central Florida spent more than $14,000 on the red capes as
part of its "Cape-A-Bility Challenge" public relations campaign. The
campaign featured a cartoon character, "Dr. Evil Unemployment," who
needs to be vanquished.

Florida's unemployment agency director asked Monday for an investigation
of the regional operation's spending after the Orlando Sentinel
published a story about the program. State director Cynthia Lorenzo said
the spending appeared to be "insensitive and wasteful."

Workforce Central Florida Director Gary J. Earl defends the program,
saying it is part of a greater effort to connect with the community. The
agency says it served 210,000 people during its last fiscal year,
placing nearly 59,000 in jobs.