They are still the benefactor though. Palpatine is manipulating them into a war that he was rigged against them, but it doesn't change that their influence and wealth provided the perfect means for him to trigger a war that destructive, as well as one born out of a situation that would make people ok with a stronger government.

Plagueis did some incredible stuff with the sith playing these companies and like getting Gunray entirely under their thumb so the Trade Federation would bankroll the plan no questions asked. Palpatine has private wealth, but nothing that could fun an army let alone multiple. The corporate interests having more control than anyone and being above the law was not Palpatine's doing, it was just the Republic's cardinal sin. He set those interests up to think they had someone who would ensure their victory if they seceded, but they fully believed they where the benefactors of Dooku and Sidious' machinations. They just didn't know that one little tiny detail......that Sidious was Palpatine.

Also sorry to hear that about GMing