By Dan Klepal
The Cincinnati Enquirer

University of Louisville student Genny Cox thought she was within her rights when she tried to sell her Conference USA men's basketball tournament tickets on the U.S. Bank Arena plaza moments after the University of Cincinnati defeated her school Thursday night.

Cox quickly got a lesson in a confusing Cincinnati law - she was issued a $200 ticket and had her tickets confiscated by Cincinnati police for selling her tickets in an area where only licensed vendors are allowed to sell.

"I thought I was only breaking the law if I asked for more than face value," Cox said. "Individual tickets sell for $34, and I was asking $30."

Police say that even if ticket-holders are selling at face value and not scalping - or trying to sell tickets at a price higher than face value - there are still restricted as to certain areas where they can legally seal a deal.

Cincinnati Police Lt. Dave Bailey said officers have to confiscate tickets when a person is cited so they have evidence for court.

"In a nutshell, you can't sell anything on the (arena) plaza or any of the walkways south of Third Street," Bailey said.

The arena also hires undercover officers to patrol the plaza area, looking for people selling counterfeit tickets.

It was unclear whether the undercover officer who cited Cox was working for the arena or Cincinnati police.

It doesn't matter to Cox.

She questioned why there are no signs to warn people - especially out-of-towners - that selling event tickets in those areas can bring a fine. The backs of tickets for the basketball tournament warn against scalping, but say nothing about it being illegal to sell tickets at face value.

"You come to Cincinnati and spend money and that helps the city out," Cox said. "Then you get tagged with a fine and you never want to come back. That's the way I feel."

E-mail dklepal@enquirer.com