Unbeknownst to anyone, Craig was a childhood friend of Ethan Asher, Derek Griffin and Stephen Slade, with whom he was raised in a Santa Barbara orphanage. Together, they formed a circle to find the murderer of their childhood friend Cassandra Benedict. Derek blamed Mason Capwell for Cassie's death and decided to kill him in the tunnel where the girl had died. Fortunately, Craig came to Mason's rescue and saved his life. Later, Cassie was revealed to be alive.

During this time, Craig fell hopelessly in love with the beautiful heiress Kelly Capwell and reformed himself. Unfortunately for Craig, Kelly chose Robert Barr over him. Craig became suspicious of Robert and allied himself with Kelly's older sister, Eden, to find out what Barr was up to. It was later revealed that Robert had been kidnapped and replaced by his evil twin brother, Quinn. In the end, Craig didn't get the girl. Nevertheless, he did gain a honored business spot next to Kelly's father, C.C. Capwell, pushing out C.C.'s son Mason in the process. Furthermore, Craig began seeing Gina Timmons.

Craig became desperate to maintain his familial post with C.C. and was willing to do anything to keep it. He even blew up Warren Lockridge's office, letting the blame fall on Mason. Later, a bullet traveled through Mason and killed Amado Gonzalez. Warren was tried for the shooting, but it looked like Craig was guilty. Meanwhile, C.C. instructed Craig to break up Katrina Ruyker and Dash Nichols. Craig tried to drive Dash out of town, indicating that Katrina would have no problem getting her green card if Dash broke off their romance. When Katrina found out, C.C. fired Craig.

Craig took a turn for the worse when Angela Raymond figured out that he was behind the murder of Amado and attempted murder of Mason. Craig planned to kill Angela, making it look like suicide, but he was arrested just in time. After Craig was sent to jail, he escaped and kidnapped Kelly and Cruz Castillo. Ultimately, Cassie was able to convince Craig to give himself up.