Remember that February New York Times story about John McCain possibly having an affair with a telecommunications lobbyist?

The story appeared shaky, at best, in the middle of a heated campaign season, and left many wondering why in the world the Times would print such a flimsy story. But despite the firestorm of criticism that ensued, the newspaper stood by its story then, and still is now.

Well now, that lobbyist, Vicky L. Iseman, is suing the Times for defamation – to the tune of $27 million.

Iseman argues the article gave the false impression she may have had an affair with the Arizona senator in 1999 and blasts the paper for publishing "gossip and innuendo." The original Times article suggested McCain used his position as committee chairman to improperly favor lobbyist Iseman, and inferred he may have had romantic relations with her. The Times article quotes several unnamed sources — "disillusioned" former staffers of the presidential hopeful — as its basis. McCain’s campaign at the time called is a "hit-and-run smear campaign."

"That The New York Times would make such aggressive and sensational allegations and insinuations in the face of on-the-record denials by Ms. Iseman and Sen. McCain only reinforced the message to readers that The New York Times in fact believed that Ms. Iseman and Sen. McCain had indeed engaged in an ‘inappropriate relationship,’ a relationship that was romantic, unethical and a conflict of interest," the lawsuit says. "Otherwise, reasonable readers would conclude, The New York Times would never have printed the story at all."

Iseman’s attorney told The Washington Post that his client didn’t have a relationship with McCain and that the article "was very damaging to her professionally and personally."

Click here to read the complaint.

As for the Times, they say the story is true.

"We fully stand behind the article," a spokeswoman said in a statement. "We continue to believe it to be true and accurate, and that we will prevail. As we said at the time, it was an important piece that raised questions about a presidential contender and the perception that he had been engaged in conflicts of interest."

Here’s video of McCain in February denying any inappropriate behavior: