Comedian faces scrutiny over oligarch ties in Ukraine presidential race

FILE PHOTO: Ukrainian comic actor and presidential candidate Volodymyr Zelenskiy speaks following the announcement of the first exit poll in a presidential election at his campaign headquarters in Kiev, Ukraine March 31, 2019. REUTERS/Valentyn Ogirenko/File Photo

KIEV (Reuters) - Comedian Volodymyr Zelenskiy is leading the race to become Ukraine's next president thanks to an insurgent campaign that rails against corrupt politicians influenced by rich oligarchs.

Yet it is his own relationship with one of the country's wealthiest tycoons that could prove an Achilles' heel.