(a)      During the investigation of any complaint alleging a violation of § 5, § 7, § 8, § 16, § 17, § 22, § 23, or § 24 of this article, and until said matters reach the stage of public hearings, the activities of all members of the Commission and employees thereof in connection with said investigation shall be conducted in confidence and without publicity, and the Commission shall hold confidential any information in relation thereto, including the identity of the complainant and the respondent, except that:

            (1)      Any information may be released at any time if the release has been agreed to in writing by both complainant and respondent; and

            (2)      The identity of the complainant may be disclosed to the respondent at any time.

      (b)      Any member of the Commission or employee thereof, who violates the provisions of this section shall be guilty of a misdemeanor, and upon conviction thereof shall be fined not more than $1,000.00 or imprisoned not more than one year or both.