Leeann Tweeden is New Poker After Dark Host

Model/TV personality Leeann Tweeden has been tapped as the new host of the popular poker television show Poker After Dark, according to WickedChopsPoker.com

Tweeden will replace season 3 host Marianela Pereyra, who stepped in after a pregnant Shana Hiatt left the show a year ago. The super sweet, Argentinian-born Pereyra was a regular fixture at last year's WSOP, where she did online video reports.

The hostess has appeared in FHM, Maxim and Stuff Magazine.

Poker After Dark came under intense scrutiny after Gambling911.com revealed via Tom Somach of PokerHelper.com that the show featured a convicted sex predator who preyed on a young girl in exchange for a skateboard.  "Iron Sheik" Sharhram Sheikhan served 9 months on charges of child molestation.   Years later he was involved in a fatal car accident reportedly caused by Sheikhan's speeding Mercedes.  The driver of the other vehicle that was hit by Sheikhan's vehicle perished.  The US Government last year attempted to deport Sheikhan back to his native Iran.

Poker After Dark airs on NBC, which ironically features "To Catch a Predator" among its television programs.

In an even more bizarre twist, Leeann Tweeden hosted "The Skateboard Show" in 2002. 

---

Christopher Costigan, Gambling911.com Publisher CCostigan@CostiganMedia.com

Originally published April 11, 2008 12:31 am EST