We know that Qui-Gon Jinn was once apprenticed to Count Dooku. We also know that he pushed for Anakin to become a padawan, even though he was too old, and didn't stop until Anakin was made one. We also know that he rescued Jar Jar Binks, who ended up becoming a senator and who advocated for Chancellor Palpatine to become Emperor.

Jar Jar Binks, as stated in the above paragraph, helped to make Palpatine Emperor and he also, in the Phantom Menace, made himself a general of the Gungan Army, even though most of the Gungans hated him and he was extremely clumsy. Maybe a little Sith manipulating there?