a. In General. A Member who has or has had a lawyer/client relationship or financial relationship with, or who is an immediate family member of, a person or entity who is a complainant or the subject of a matter before the Commission shall not participate in the investigation or deliberation on any matter involving that complainant, person, or entity.

   b. Disclosure. A Member with a past or present relationship, other than that as provided in section VII.a. above, with a person or entity who is the complainant or subject of a matter before the Commission, shall disclose such relationship to the Commission, and if the Commission deems it appropriate, that Member shall not participate in any action relating to that matter.