Apparently that is a lie, from others that reported the very same accusations. He shouldn't have walked it back at all, but I guess he now fears for his career.
I'm guessing his lawyer told him that unless he could immediately provide clear and convincing evidence of his statement he'd better get out there posthaste and read this statement and then pray anyway that Bryan Singer considers him too small potatoes to sue. Personally, I figure what he said was true, but that's one of those thing you don't say unless you can prove it.
I'm not so sure that Singer would want to open that can of worms in the first place, much easier to just ruin him within the business. After all, I'm pretty sure that some out there would be all too willing to testify against Singer. Like those that submitted but were never picked, as one example.
But you could be right, I am not discounting your argument.