Kato Kaelin Denies Saying He Knew O.J. Did It

Kato says he was shocked when he read the report which quoted him as saying, "The statute of limitations has now passed ... so I can now say ... yes, he did it."

Kato tells TMZ ... he never said any of those things to reporter Cindy Adams or anyone else.

Kato says he has expressed his opinion over the years ... that he THINKS Simpson killed Nicole Brown and Ron Goldman ... but tells us, "I have no first hand knowledge."