Click here to watch "The McCain File."

Scrutiny surrounding John McCain's ties to various lobbyists continues, as nonprofit group Campaign Money Watch launched a TV ad today in conjunction with a complaint to the Federal Election Commission.

"The McCain File" (subscription) delves into the presumptive GOP nominee's role in awarding an Air Force contract to "a French company" -- Airbus -- instead of "an American company," Boeing. An announcer claims that "seven of McCain's staff and fundraisers lobbied for Airbus," whose "U.S. executives" contributed more to McCain "than any other politician." "And guess what?" the announcer continues. "John McCain intervened, which helped Airbus get that Pentagon contract."

The FEC complaint, also released today, contends that McCain's campaign violated federal election laws in making payments earlier this year to former lobbyist Susan Nelson and McCain's former finance director, Tom Loeffler, both of whom worked on the Airbus account. The complaint also alleges another violation connected to the reduction of a campaign invoice by more than $100,000 (subscription).

Such controversies have become familiar territory for McCain, who has been the target of other third-party attacks chastising him for connections with lobbyists.

David Donnelly, director of Campaign Money Watch, said this complaint is the tip of the iceberg in terms of McCain's relationships with various lobbyists, especially those tied to Airbus. "These issues, along with a lot of others that have been raised, really bring McCain's reform credentials into serious doubt," he said.

Donnelly said Democratic contender Barack Obama "comes out far in advance than McCain" in terms of his transparency regarding lobbying.