NORWOOD — The 80-year-old co-founder of a Norwood restaurant is facing misdemeanor charges after at least 16 people were treated for carbon monoxide exposure at Sorrento Pizza and Restaurant Jan. 20.

        Enrico DeLuca was cited for violations of the Norwood fire code. City officials say Mr. DeLuca removed a fire department “red tag” from the furnace in the restaurant and turned the unit on without having it reinspected.

        The violations are both first-degree misdemeanors and each carries a maximum punishment of six months in jail and a $1,000 fine, Norwood Law Director Vicki Garry said.

        Mr. DeLuca is scheduled to appear Thursday in mayor's court.

        “He was cited for turning the furnace back on after it had been sealed and with removing the seal, which is the red tag,” Ms. Garry said. “As a result of the furnace being turned on ... numerous people became seriously ill.”

        Norwood fire officials red-tagged the malfunctioning furnace Jan. 16 and ordered that it not be used until fire officials could reinspect it.

        Officials originally found the furnace had produced an unacceptable level of carbon monoxide, Ms. Garry said.

        Fire officials served Mr. DeLuca with the citations Monday.

        Mr. DeLuca's son, Willie DeLuca, who now runs the restaurant, had no comment on the charges Monday evening.

        The family-owned restaurant, a popular sports hangout for nearly 50 years, was closed for about a week after the incident. Enrico DeLuca and his wife started the restaurant in 1956.

        Before reopening, the restaurant's furnace and water heater were replaced and carbon monoxide detectors were installed.

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