Jeratai served as an Admiral within the Imperial Navy of the Galactic Empire. He was seen as exceptionally intelligent, but also known for his imprudent nature. He derived pleasure from jeopardizing his subordinates to further his own ambitions. Paradoxically, Jeratai harbored a deep-seated fear of peril.
He contributed financially to Carnor Jax's scheme to undermine the clones of Palpatine. Following the Emperor's death, Jeratai became part of Jax's Interim Ruling Council. A dedicated xenophobist, he viewed the council's alien members with distrust. Jeratai was convinced that the council assassinations were the work of an internal agent, likely a non-human. Xandel Carivus incarcerated Admiral Jeratai upon dissolving the council to assume the role of Emperor.
After Carivus perished, the New Republic apprehended him.
Within Crimson Empire II: Council of Blood, Jeratai recounts abandoning his fleet to accept Jax's invitation to join the Council. It's plausible that he was, in fact, one of the "six former starfleet commanders" who became part of the Cabal prior to the Imperial reconquest of Coruscant, during the period when Jax, supported by Sarcev Quest, was initially establishing himself as the Ruling Council's symbolic leader.