Franklin Garcia, 24, whose last known address was in Lakeville, has been charged with assault after a confrontation with Manny DeBrito, the head of the New Bedford Board of Election Commissioners, outside New Bedford City Hall.

DeBrito has stated in public reports that he believes the incident was a hate crime and that Garcia hurled racial slurs at him. 

That claim is being investigated by the New Bedford Police Department’s hate crime officer and the Bristol County District Attorney’s Office, according to New Bedford Police Lt. Scott Carola.

The incident took place Nov. 19. Garcia was arrested at about 11 a.m. that day.