There is a difference between being in the employ of the Empire and being positioned into power and maintained there by the Empire.
Saddam Hussein for one of many examples was positioned into power and maintained by America for decades as a bulwark against Iranian Theocratic Revolution.
That didn't stop him from doing his own thing, right up to the moment of his death.
If you want to think along more mythical lines think Herod Antipas in most adaptations of the Gospels.
His father was put on the throne by the Romans, his father's kingdom was split up and he received a throne during a period of instability and yet in the Biblical text he is shown toying with the Jesus and offers him freedom if he can perform a miracle.
When he doesn't get what he wants Herod throws him back to Pilate who would (in the text) rather set him free anyway but can't because Jesus has angered or dissappointed two local areas of government which are meant to be subjugated under the Empire Pilate represents.
Jabba is the sort of character that Frank Thring (heavens bless him) used to play.