(a) Employees.--Any attempt to realize personal gain through public employment by conduct inconsistent with the proper discharge of the duties of the employee is a breach of a public trust. In order to fulfill this general, prescribed standard, employees must avoid any conflict of interest or improper use of confidential information.
(b) Nonemployees.--Any effort to influence any employee to breach the standards of ethical conduct set forth in this section is also a breach of ethical standards.