Securities Lawyers Blog
The law offices of Gana Weinstein LLP are currently investigating claims that Broker Derek Copeland (Copeland) has been accused by investors of engaging in fraudulent misappropriation of their funds. According to records kept by The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA), it appears that Copeland was employed by LPL Financial LLC at the time of the activity. If you have been a victim of Copeland’s alleged misconduct our firm may be able to assist you in recovering funds.
FINRA BrokerCheck shows a final customer complaint on March 24, 2025.
Without admitting or denying the findings, Copeland consented to the sanction and to the entry of findings that he participated in 74 private securities transactions without providing prior written notice to his member firm. The findings stated that the transactions involved 19 different securities and 27 individuals, including 22 who were customers of Copeland’s firm, who collectively invested nearly $11 million. Copeland received at least $173,000 in compensation, including through management, consulting, and recommendation fees. The findings also stated that Copeland communicated about securities-related business, including securities offered through his firm and private securities transactions, using communication channels not approved, captured, or maintained by his firm. Copeland falsely attested on firm compliance questionnaires that he only used approved and captured communication channels for communications relating to securities-related business. Nonetheless, Copeland exchanged over 2,250 communications with his firm colleagues, firm customers, other investors, and offering company partners using his private email addresses, text messages sent and received through his private mobile phone, and messages sent and received through online platform that his firm did not capture or maintain causing it to maintain incomplete books and records.