Janelle Irwin Taylor
The powerful North Pinellas Bilirakis family is tied to a recent lawsuit filed in Pinellas County court. Evelyn Bilirakis, the niece of U.S. Rep Gus Bilirakis, allegedly struck an individual at Cypress Run Golf Club in Tarpon Springs while driving a golf cart.
In the lawsuit naming the Golf Club, not the Bilirakis family, Jarunee Saengfah says the incident caused “serious and permanent injury.” He argues the club was negligent for allowing a minor child use of the Golf Cart.
Evelyn Bilirakis’ age is not specifically known, but according to her Facebook page, she graduated from high school in 2015. Assuming she was at or near age 18 at that time, she would have likely been at least 16 at the date of the incident, which occurred August 2014.
Bilirakis also participated in the January 2013 Epiphany event in Tarpon Springs. A local news report listed her at that time as 15, further corroborating she would have been at least 16 at the time.
That age is relevant in the suit because Cypress Run requires its golf cart users to be at least 16 to operate the vehicles.
The lawsuit seeks damages from Cypress Run of more than $15,000. It’s not clear whether Saengfah sought relief from the Bilirakis family for damages incurred in the accident.
The Bilirakis family has a long and prominent history in the area. Evelyn Bilirakis’ grandfather is former Congressman Mike Bilirakis.
