EXCLUSIVE: Woman charged after allegedly trying to poison co-worker at Hudson’s Bay
Posted January 24, 2019 9:10 pm.
Last Updated January 25, 2019 3:15 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
A Hudson’s Bay Co. employee has been charged after a co-worker accused the woman of trying to poison her.
Matsatso Beliashvili told CityNews she began noticing her water bottle smelled funny and finding bubbles in the bottle. She decided to buy a new one, but it wasn’t long before it began happening again.
Beliashvili explained she would leave her bottle in a communal area in the store when she wasn’t using it, but when she poured water into it, she noticed a foam similar to soap bubbles.
After speaking with her boss, they checked security footage which allegedly showed a co-worker spraying all-purpose Lysol into her water bottle.
Toronto police confirmed Konica Kang was arrested and charged with administering a noxious substance and mischief on Monday.
Kang has been released on bail. Her next court date is Feb. 27.
Beliashvili is the business manager for Estee Lauder at the Hudson’s Bay at Yonge and Queen streets. She said Kang works as a counter manager alongside her.
She said she and Kang work together regularly and she did not believe they had any issues prior to the alleged incident.
“I thought everything was normal, maybe only minor discussions or arguments that we go through in a workplace on a daily basis,” said Beliashvili. “This happened all of a sudden. It was very shocking, I’m still trying to digest all of this because it has been a huge shock.”
Beliashvili adds she was quite heartbroken by the incident.
“I thought I was a nice person. I have never ever done anything bad to anyone and then there is this kind of thing happening to me out of nowhere from somebody,” she said. “This hate or this jealously or all these bad feelings towards me has been very heartbreaking and very sad.”
Hudson’s Bay Co. told CityNews Kang has been terminated from her role and they are cooperating with law enforcement.
“The safety and well-being of associates and customers is of utmost importance. We take this matter very seriously,” a statement read.
In September of last year, two people were arrested after a Toronto BMW worker was allegedly poisoned with engine coolant.
