There's also the "oh shit, I'll get this fixed, but nothing I say can be in writing or I'm definitely getting fired" possibility.
Nah boss, I just apologized for my misunderstanding, I have no idea why $Insubordinate_Contractor is saying that I said he'd better come in or I'm going to blacklist him in the entire industry and ensure he never works again ... I mean, why would I say that?! I don't have that kind of power!