By Richard Lister

BBC News, Washington

John McCain led an inquiry into lobbyist Jack Abramoff While exuberant Republicans celebrated a new-found confidence at their convention in Minnesota, back in Washington DC - away from the limelight - there was another drama unfolding from an altogether murkier chapter of the party's history. In Courtroom 24a of Washington's District Courthouse, a tearful, middle-aged man apologised for the political conspiracies he had worked on with some Republican politicians and officials. Shortly after, Judge Ellen Huvelle sentenced him to four years in prison. The man is Jack Abramoff, a once-powerful lobbyist with friends in high Republican places. He was an integral part of the Republican establishment until he was charged with conspiracy, fraud and tax evasion three years ago. When those charges were revealed,the scandal shook the party faithful to the core and helped ensure the Republicans lost control of Congress in the 2006 elections. Close friends Abramoff was a larger-than-life figure in Washington politics; a hard-nosed lobbyist with a taste for big black hats. In his youth, he was a Reaganite and passionate anti-communist; he helped raise support for the Nicaraguan Contras before becoming a Hollywood film producer. After moving into political lobbying, he worked closely with former House Majority Leader Tom DeLay, who was later to call him one of his "closest and dearest friends". For years he wined and dined many prominent Republicans - and paid for holidays, sports and concert tickets for some of them too. In return, he was able to help shape legislation on behalf