Jeff Ruby did not post Tensing’s bail

Local restaurateur Jeff Ruby wants everyone to know he did not post bond for the former police officer accused of killing Samuel DuBose during a traffic stop.

A rumor that he did, started on Twitter, has prompted bomb threats against Jeff Ruby’s Steakhouse Downtown and death threats against Ruby’s life. The threats have been reported to Cincinnati Police.

“What a bunch of crap,” Ruby said. “I might not bail him out if he was my own son.”

The rumor started when @BMoore5300 tweeted late Thursday that Ruby and people from LaRosa’s Pizza and Papa John's posted Ray Tensing’s bail.

Court records show it was Tensing’s father, Paul Tensing, who posted the $100,085 – 10 percent of a $1 million bond – needed to free Tensing until trial.

Ruby tweeted Friday morning this reponse: “A black dude tweeted that. Its (sic) absolutely UNTRUE!!! Other than Mayor I was ONLY white person at the DuBose funeral.”

Tensing is facing a murder charge in DuBose’s death during a traffic stop on July 19. Tensing’s attorney Stew Mathews has said his client feared for his life.

Ruby attended the DuBose’s visitation Tuesday, offering meals to his family and words of comfort.

He told The Enquirer he went because he felt he was a public figure and leaders needed to show support for the family.

The errant Tweet - and the fact many took it for truth - shows the power of social media to spread misinformation. Celebrities who are alive and well are routinely pronounced dead on social media. But other false rumors heighten tension or lead, as they did with Ruby, to threats.

Earlier this month false social media reports circulated that Sandra Bland, the woman who died in a Texas jail, was already dead when her mugshot was taken. County officials posted video of Bland in her jail to dispel that rumor.

There are so many false reports on social media that entire sites. like Emergent, have sprung up to track their veracity.